IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


V 


^ 


/. 


////    ^^ 


[/ 


(A 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


■:         III  3  2 


1.4 


IIM 
= 

IIM 

1.6 


V] 


<^ 


/^ 


VI 


c^  ^     ^> 


'^> 


c%7     ^ 


'>/ 


-^r 


/^ 


/ 


/ 


y 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


m 


\^ 


iV 


^\^ 


:0' 


:\ 


\ 


0 


4^. 


^ 


-ft 


^^^ 


ri)^ 


1%  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBS'ieR,N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


^n  i 


C/j 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  canadien  de  microreproductions  historiques 


;<> 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


D 
D 
D 
D 
D 
D 


Couverture  endommagde 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pellicul6e 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  g6ographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 


Q 


Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
^ '    along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serr6e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intdrieure 


D 


D 


Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajout^es 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  6tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  film6es. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppldmentaires; 


Tl 
tc 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sent  peut-Atre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  m6thode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu6s  ci-dessous. 

□    Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

n    Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommag6es 

□    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaur6es  et/ou  pelliculdes 

r'~}    Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
!_]    Piges  ddcolor^es,  tachetdes  ou  piqudes 

□Pagos  detached/ 
Pages  ddtachdes 

r"  Y^  Showthrough/ 
LLj    Transparence 

I      I    Quality  of  print  varies/ 


Tl 

P 
o 
fi 


Q 
b 
tl 

si 
o 
fi 

si 
o 


D 


Qualitd  in6gale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  suppldmentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


T 
s 

T 

^ 

d 

e 
b 
ri 
ri 
n 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcics  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t6  filmdes  &  nouveau  de  faqon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film6  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqui  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

y 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

National  Library  of  Canada 


L'exemplaire  filmA  fut  reproduit  grAce  d  la 
gAn6rosit6  de: 

Bibliothdque  nationale  du  Canada 


The  images  appearing  hare  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  -^^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  6tA  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettet^  de  l'exemplaire  film6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimte  sont  filmis  en  commen^ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
derniire  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  uas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  film6s  en  commen^ant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  derniftre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — ^>  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN  ' 

Les  cartes,  i,.-4nches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
filmis  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  cliche,  il  est  film6  A  partir 
de  Tangle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  it  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n^cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  methods. 


r    1 

:         S         ': 

1 

32X 


1 

—  " 
2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

c 


gov 


am 


r* 


A    POPULAR     HISTORY 


-z/^^. 


OP  THE 


Catholic  Churqh 


IN  THE 


UNITED    STATES. 


BY 


JOHN  O'KANE  MURRAY,  B.S. 


"  The  United  States  is  the  only  country  where  I  am  really  Pope  in  the  eyes  of  the 
government." — Pius  IX, 

"There  is  not,  and  there  never  was,  on  this  earth,  an  institution  so  well  deserving  of  ex- 
amination as  the  Catholic  Church." — Lord  Macaulav. 

Fortan  et  hire  olim  meminisse  juvabit. 


NE\A^    YORK: 
D.    &    J.    SADLIER    &    COMPANY, 

MONTREAL  :  275  NOTRE  DAME  STREET. 
1876. 


5/    '^06 


161093 


COPYRIGHT,    1876, 
BY 

JOHN    O'KANE    MURRAY. 


(ALL  RIGHTS  RESERVED.) 


EDWARD  0.   JENKINS, 

PRINTER    AND    3TERE0TYPER, 

TO  N.  WILLIAM   ST.,   N.  Y. 


TO 


THE    MOST    HOLY    MARY, 


THS 


EVER-GL0R[0TIS  AND  IMMACULATE  VIRGIN;  THE  BLESSED  MOTHER  OP 

OUR  DIVINE  REDEEMER:  THE  POWERFUL  PATRONESS  OP 

THE  LNITFD  STATES, 


THIS  SIMPLE    rOLUME   IS  DEDICATED, 

WITH 

INEXPRESSIBLE    LOVE,    GRATITUDE,    AND    HUMILITY, 

BT  THE 

Most    Unworthy    of  all   her   Servants, 

JOBN  Ci'KANE  IIURRAT. 


PREFACE. 


As  an  element  of  American  civilization,  what  good  has 
Catholicity  accomplished  ?  Has  its  record  been  honorable  ? 
Has  it  made  progress?  Who  were  its  great  and  useful 
men  ?  What  did  they  do  ?  At  this  time,  these  are  proper 
questions  to  ask.  This  book  ventures  to  answer  thein.  Its 
appearance  does  not,  perhaps,  call  for  an  apology  as  no 
similar  work  exists. 

I  have  written  simply  as  a  Catholic,  uninfluenced  either  by 
sectional  prejudice,  or  undue  partiality  for  any  religious 
society  in  the  Church.  But  I  have  not  forgotten  that  impar- 
tiality consists  in  telling  the  truth.  Having  grown  up  in  this 
Western  World,  a  child  of  that  ancient,  rock-biiilt  Church, 
whose  American  career  I  have  endeavored  so  feebly  to 
portray,  it  was  but  natural  that  the  heart  warmed  to  its  sub- 
ject, and  that  the  courage  which  is  inspii-ed  by  the  love  of 
justice,  cheered  on  the  long  hours  of  labor.  Nothing  was 
considered  foreign  which  had  a  bearing  on  Catholicity  in 
this  Republic. 

In  our  day  and  country,  it  is  sad  to  think  that  a  thousand 
corrupt  influences  combine  to  close  men's  eyes  to  the  purity, 
beauty,  and  greatness  of  the  Catliolic  Church.  This  evil 
we  must  neutralize.  The  point  will  be  partly  gained  by 
teaching  the  present  Catholic  generation  the  grandeur  and 
magnificence  of  their  Faith.  They  will  then  glory  in  it. 
They  will  be  proud  of  their  Catholic  forefathers,  and 
their  Catholic  descent. 

The  Catholic  Church  is  the  grand  depository  of  truth 
upon  earth — that  truth  which  makes  men  free.  She  is  the 
mother  of  true  liberty.  She  flourishes  best  where  there  is 
no  Cjvsar  to  interfere  with  the  freedom  of  her  action  in  her 
heavenlv   mission   of   civilizing  and   saving   mankind.     A 

(v) 


VI 


Preface. 


tliorougli  knowledge  of  EnrojKVin  liistory  would  reduce 
tliiB  truth  to  the  winipiioit}^  of  hu  axiom.  It  in  proved 
beyond  all  doul)t  by  tlie  history  of  Catholicity  in  Aniericu 

Amongst  U8,  public  virtue  is  evidently  on  the  decline- 
How  many  things  tend  to  lower  our  opinion  of  humanity ! 
Corruption,  nhame,  disgrace — the  newspapers,  seemingly, 
can  find  little  else  of  which  to  speak.  Our  young  people 
hear  of  nothing  but  scandal  and  nunors  of  scandal. 

**  On  eaglos'  wings  immortal  scandals  fly, 
Whilo  virtuous  actions  are  but  bom  and  die." 

To  counteract  this  unhappy  element  in  American  society,  it 
becomes  us  to  hold  up  before  the  gaze  of  all,  those  noble 
men  whose  lofty  lives  shed  a  flood  of  splendor  on  the  annals 
of  Catholicity  in  America.  The  biographical  sketches,  brief 
and  impei-fect  as  they  are,  were  introduced  with  that  object 
in  view. 

The  repetition  of  certain  facts  will  occasionally  be  met 
with  ;  nor  could  this  be  well  avoided,  owing  to  the  nature 
of  the  subject,  and  the  strict  division  of  topics  adopted.  But 
in  a  popular  ])ook,  it  seems  to  me,  that  some  repetition  is  far 
preferable  to  tne  questionable  method  of  continually  xi- 
ferring  the  reader  to  a  foregoing  page  or  chapter. 

This  is  scarcely  the  pi'oper  place  to  allude  to  the  diffi- 
culties encountered  in  the  preparation  of  this  v^olume ;  yet, 
it  is  but  truth  to  sa_>^  that  they  were  neither  few  nor  trifling. 
The  hundreds  of  letters  written  to  obtain  the  latest  and 
most  reliable  information  imposed  an  additional  labor 
almost  equal  to  the  rest  of  the  work.  Except  in  a  few  in- 
stances, my  inquiries  met  with  nothing  save  kindness  ami 
courtesy.  But  that  was  not  alL  The  inexperience  of  the 
writer,  the  immense  field  to  be  passed  over,  the  many  deli- 
cate subjects  to  be  handled,  the  little  time  at  disposal,  and 
the  thousand-and-one  distractions  inseparable  from  an  active 
life — all  contributed  to  sw^ell  the  shortcomings  of  the  book. 
]Iovvt'ver,  I  trust  it  is  not  destitute  of  some  interest  and  value. 

To  boiTOW  the  language  of  a  irood  old  monk,  who  lived 


Preface, 


vii 


over  eight  liundrctl  years  ago,  ''  I  offer  thin  book  as  l(tiig  ms 
I  live  to  the  correction  of  tliose  wlio  are  more  learned.  If 
I  have  (lone  wrong  in  anything,  I  sliall  not  he  awlianied  to 
receive  their  achnonitions.  If  there  he  anything  which  tliey 
Hke,  I  siiall  not  he  slow  to  furni.sh  more." 

So  far  as  tliis  volume,  directly  or  indirectly,  touches  on 
the  dogmas  of  Religion,  I  am  not  aware  that  it  contains 
anything  contrary  to  sound  Catholic  teaching.  In<leed,  I 
liavc  taken  special  care  that,  in  this  respect,  it  should  he 
free  from  error.  Nevertheless,  1  suhniit  the  work  to  the 
judgment  of  the  Holy  Catliolic  Church  and  her  illustrious 
head,  Pius  IXj — considering  it  the  highest  earthly  honor  to 
profess  myself  an  obedient  son  of  the  Faith. 

I  gladly  acknowledge  my  indebtedness  to  others.  The 
chief  authoriticii  used  in  the  pre]iaration  of  this  book, 
besides  being  scattered  as  references  through  it,  are  given  in 
Iho  Appendix.  To  the  venerable  prelates,  to  priests,  re- 
ligious ladies,  publishers,  heads  of  educational  institutions, 
and  the  many  kind  friends,  who  aided  me  in  my  researches, 
I  return  my  tnost  grateful  thanks.  Addressing  myself  to 
each  of  them,  1  repeat  the  words  of  the  })oet : 


"  To  thee  no  star  bo  dark! 
Both  heaven  and  earth 
Befriend  thee  over." 


Brooklyn,  L.  I.,  May,  1876. 


J.  O'K.  M. 


CONTENTS. 

Preface, ▼• 

ContentB, ^^ 

Biographical  Index, xyil. 


BOOK    I. 

INTRODUCTION. 

TUB  KAKLV  OATUOLIC    DI8COVEREB8— COLUMBUS  AND  HIS    BUOCI     ■.)Ri. 

i)urCoutennial— Poetry— Cutliollcity  no  Stranger  in  tlie  New  World—Foun  I 
Evtrywlicre— Its  Present  Nunibors  Bird's-eye  View  of  Europe  It,  the 
Fifteenth  Century— ProtestaniiBm  Unlinowu— Catholic  Prop  .h— CV - 
liunbus— Tiio  Mysterious  Atlantic- The  Lofty  Motives  of  ^xinerica'a 
Discoverer— His  Difl  fulties — The  Discovery  Due  to  a  Lady,  a  Murine 
and  a  Monlt — The  Voynf^e — Tlie  first  Hymns  hi  tirdon  the  Atlantic  Sua 
Salvador  Homeward  Bound — A  Tempest  and  a  Vow— The  Great 
Admiral  safely  home— Rejoicing,  and  Grand  Reception  by  the  Spanish 
Sovereigns— Tlie  Catholic  Successors  of  Columbus — The  Cabots — 
OJeda— Ponc6  de  Leon— Balboa — Magellan— Cartlor — De  Soto— Cham- 
plain— Marquette — La  Salle 1 

CHAPTER  I. 

TOE  INDIANS   AND  TUEIR  APOSTLES. 

The  Wild  Scenes  of  Four  Centuries  Ago  —  The  Indians — The  Various 
Tribes,  Languages,  and  Customs — The  Lord's  Prayer  in  four  Indian 
Languages — How  they  made  War  and  Built  Fortresses— Indian  Gov- 
ernment and  Religion — The  Apostles  of  the  Indians — How  the  Span- 
lards  established  their  Missions  —  The  English- The  French— How 
the  French  Jesuits  Lived — Missionary  Difficulties  and  Heroism — Win- 
ter Trials  of  the  Blackrobe — Magic— Tlie  Sliadows  of  Indian  Life— The 
Priests  suspected  of  being  Conjurors— Oddity  of  the  Indian  Mind — 
Character  of  the  Red  Men  and  their  Apostles 31 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE  EARLY  INDIAN  MISSIONS  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

A.D.  1528—177(5. 

Tlig  Mysterious  Ways  of  God— Columbus— The  first  Catholic  Church  in 
America — Many  Millions  of  Converts— Las  Casas — The  Spanish  Mis- 
sions, Florida,  New  Mexico,  Texas,  California— The  English  Missions, 
Maryland— The  French  Missions,  Maine,  New  Yorli — Vermont— Wis- 
consin and  Mlchl.>an— The  Mississippi  Valley— Catholicity  and  the  In- 
dian— A  Comparison— Sometbing  to  Ponder 

(ix) 


■S' 


Co7itents. 


<^HAPTER  III. 

THE  COLONIAI,  CUUHf^II— MAKYLAND,    "  THE    L^ND  Or    THB  SANCTUABT." 

(1034—1775.) 

The  Church  on  a  Thoray  Road— The  Mother  of  Bigots— Lord  Baltimore 
and  his  Colony— The  Landing — A  "Cross  in  the  Wilderness" — Liberty 
— Warmed  Viperj — Catholic  Liberality  and  Protestant  Intolerance — 
The  Maryland  Penal  Code— Pennsylvania— New  York— New  England 
— Summary  and  Conclusion 133 


BOOK  II. 


CHAPTER  I. 


m 


'if. 


the  catholics  and  the  revolution, 
(a.d.  1775-'8.3.) 

Battling  for  Freedom — Catholic  Conciliation  as  a  Policy — Charles  Carroll 
— "  The  Lexington  of  the  Seas"  fought  by  a  Catholic — Commodore 
Bari-y,  the  "Father  of  the  American  Navy" — Rev.  Dr.  Carroll  as  a  Pa- 
triot—Gen. Moylon — Generosity  of  Catholic  Merchants — Washington's 
Life-Guard — Catholic  Ireland — Catholic  France  Aiding  us  on  Land  and 
Sea — Generous  Catholic  Spain — Catholic  Poland— The  "faint-praise" 
School  of  Writers— The  Death  of  Tyranny- A  New  Star  arises.  .        .  163 

CHAPTER  II. 

RELIGIOUS   FUEEDOM — ITS    RISE   AND  PROGRESS  IN  THE   UNITED   STATES. 

Great  Changes  arc;  the  work  of  Time — The  Dawn  of  Freedom — The  first 
Tocsin  Note  of  Religious  Liberty — The  first  Amendment  to  the  Consti- 
tution due  to  Catholics — Bishop  Carroll's  narrative— Unextinguished 
Intolerance — Various  States  where  Catholics  were  long  Excluded  from 
Oflice — New  Hampshire — Catholicity  the  Mother  of  Freedom — Relig- 
ious Bigotry  in  America  due  to  the  Persecuting  Power  of  England.     .  179 


CHAPTER  ni. 


THE  CHURCH   IN  TDE   YOINO  REPUBLIC. 


(a.d. 


177(5- 


•1790.) 


The  English  Vlear-Apostolic— Dr.  Carroll's  Opinion— The  Now  Prefect 
Apost(jlic — Dr.  Franklin  and  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll — An  Item  from  Dr.  Frank- 
lin's Diary — TheTe  Deuin  at  Philadelphia— Washington  at  Mass — New 
York  City— John  Jay  an  exquisite  Bigot-  The  last  specinipu  of  English 
Tyranny  in  our  Country— J^ass  on  a  top  floor— Roving  Prip"*"  -- :!  .'^- 


Co7itcnts, 


XI 


bLinate  Laymen— Boston — Washington  and  the  Pope's  eftigy  burners — 
Catholic  France  inciting  the  Ice  of  Bigotry— Only  thirty  Catholics  in 
Boston  at  the  close  of  the  Revolution — Kev.  John  Thayer  becomes  a 
Catholic— The  first  Bishop  of  the  United  States — His  Cou!*ecration — 
First  t^ermon  In  Baltimore- -Catholic  statistics — Archbishop  Carroll  and 
President  Washington  compared 191 

CHAPTER  TV. 

fUGM   THE   FOUNDATION  OP    THE    DIOCESE    OF    BALTIMORE  TO  TUB  DEATH  OF 

akcubisuop  carroll. 

(a.d.  1790—1815.)  * 

Trutli  battling  for  her  Children— A  spiritual  Hannibal — Synod  of  Balti- 
more— The  French  Revolution — First  Mass  in  Charleston,  S.  C— The 
Church  in  Kentucky — The  young  Prince-Priest — Mysterious  Events  iu 
Virginia — The  ApB^tle  of  the  Alleghanies — The  brave  Captain  Mc(Juire 
— A  Forest  Journey — The  first  uiidnight  Mass  in  the  Alleghanies — The 
first  Church  in  Boston — Pioneers  of  the  Faith — Dark  Pictures  and 
Lively  Letters — Immigration — Four  new  Sees— Rebellious  Cliildren  of 
the  Church — The  Seal  of  Confession — Dedication  of  St.  Patrick's  Ca- 
thedral, New  York— Other  Events— Death  of  Archbishop  Carroll.         .  202 

crTAriEii  V. 

FROM  THE  DEATU  OF  ARCUBISHOP  CARROLL   TO   THE  ELEVATION   OF  NEW  TOIlir, 
CINCINNATI,  AND    NKW    ORLEANS   TO   THE   RANK   OF   METROPOLITAN  SEES. 

(A.n.   1815— iHr^O.) 

Archbishops  Neale  and  Man'chal — A  Miraculous  Cure— The  first  Provincial 
Council  of  Baltimore — Drs.  Whitfield  and  Ecdeston — Succeeiling 
Councils — Plus  IX. — Letter  inviting  him  to  America — The  Churca  in 
Pennsylvania — Scandals — Trouliles  —  Progress— Dr.  Kcnrick — Churdi 
Burning — "  Nativism" — The  Cliurch  in  New  York — Dr.  Connolly — Dif- 
ficulties— Conversions — Irish  Inimigratinn — Dr.  Dubois — Dr.  Hughes — 
Tlie  Church  in  New  England — Drs.  Cheverus  and  Fonwiek — The  Bos- 
ton Mob  destroys  a  Convent — Progress — Anecdotes — The  Churcli  in  the 
Southern  Sfatcs — In  the  Western  States — Dr.  Fenwick — Dr.  Purcell — 
State  of  the  Church  in  lSi"")0 232 

CHAPTER  TL. 

FROM  THE   FIRST   PLENARY^OUNCIL  OF  BALTIMORE   TO  THE  CREATION  OF  THR 

AND    THE     CENTENNIAL     ANNIVERSARY    OF 


-5'2  TO  1876.) 

•Death  of  Dr.  Ecclestr-.- 


FIRST     AMERICAN     CARDINAL, 
AMERICAN   INDEPENDENCE. 

(1850- 

Stirring  Quarter  of  a  Century — Death  of  Dr.  Ecclestf^'i — Dr.  Kcnrick 
— The  First  Plenary  Council- Bisliop  Ives  bccoi":>rt  a  Catholic— San 
Francisco — New  Dioceses — Origin  of  Know-Notliingism — The  Papal 
Nuncio — Italian  and  German  Refugees— Scoundrolism  Rampant — A 
Fierce  Collision — Fanaticiam  Revived — Mad  Preaehers— The  "Angel 
Gabriel" — Mob  Rule  and  Church  Bur.iings — Father  Bapst  Tarred  and 
Feathered— Father  Vetromlle's  Adventure— Growth  of   Catholicity— 


Xll 


Conietits. 


The  Civil  War— Catholic  Cliarity  and  Heroism- -Deal!)  o*  Doctors  Ken- 
rick  and  Hughes — Peace — The  Second  Plenary  Council — New  Dioceses 
—The  Council  of  the  Vatican— Deatli  of  Dr.  Spalding— The  Firht 
Americau  Cardinal— Statistics  of  Progress 300 


BOOK     III. 


THE  RELIGIOUS  ORDERS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

CHAPTER  I. 

THE   UELIOIOUS  ORDERS  OF  MEN. 

Introductory  Remarks — The  Franciscans — Dominicans — Jesuits — Augus- 
tinians — Sulpitians — Trappists  —  Lazarists— Redeiiiptorists — Congrega- 
tion of  the  Holy  Cross — Fatlicr-i  of  Mercy — Congregation  of  the  Most 
Precious  Blood — Benedictines — Christian  Brothers— Missionary  Oblates 
— Brothers  of  Maiy — Passionists — Xavcrian  Brothers— Paulist  Fa- 
thers—Table of  Statistics 349 

CHAPTER  II. 

THE  RELIGIOUS    ORDERS  OF  WOMEN. 

Introductory— The  Ursulines— Carmelite  Nuns — Visitation  Nuns— Sisters 
of  Charity— Sisters  of  Cliarity  of  St.  Vincent  de  Paul— Sisters  of  Lo- 
retto — Sisters  of  Cliarity  of  Nazaretli — Ladies  of  the  Sacred  Heart— 
Si-sters  of  St.  Joseph — Sisters  of  Providence— Sisters  of  Notre  Dame — 
Sisters  of  tlie  Holy  Cross— Sisters  of  Mercy— Sisters  of  the  Good  Shep- 
herd— School  Sisters  of  Notre  Dame— Presentation  Nuns — The  Little 
Sisters  of  the  Poor— Table  of  Statistics 393 


BOOK    IV. 


CATHOLIC   EDUCATION    IN    THE   UNITED    STATES. 

CHAPTER  I. 

THE   CATOOLIO   COMMON   SCHOOLS. 

Uatholicity  and  True  Education— Wliat  Judge  Dunne  says- Hfetory  of 
our  Catholic  Schools— Chief-Justice  Taney's  account  of  Early  Catholic 
Education— The  Councils  and  Catliollc  Schools— Tlie  Religious  Orders 
—Statistics— Glance  at  the  interior  of  an  Americau  Catliolie  School.     .  4:i') 


Contents. 


Xlll 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE  QUESTION  OF  QUESTIONS   IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

The  Solution  of  a  Great  Prubloni— The  Public  Schools  and  Religion — Dan- 
ger to  the  Fafth  of  the  Catliollc  cliild  -A  Cruel  Grievance — An  Exam- 
ple—  Freedom  of  Education  a  Right  —  Educational  Despots  —  Uie 
Growth  of  Corruption— DaTiger  of  Knowledge  without  Religion — Relig- 
ion and  Refinement — Germany  and  Instructed  Boors — xi  Sophism  an- 
Bwered— What  Catholi"s  Ask — How  to  get  it 


432 


CHAPTER  m. 

TUE  CATHOLIC  FEMAI.E  ACADEMIES. 

Historical  Sketch  — Pioneer  Educators — Alice  Lalor — The  Ursulines— 
Mother  Seton— The  Ladies  of  the  Sacred  Heart— Other  Orders— Superi- 
ority of  Convent  Education — Slietches — The  Georgetown  Academy — 
Einniittshurg  Academy— St.  Mary's  of  the  Woods  —  Manhattanville 
Academy — Mount  St.  Vincent — St.  Mary's  Institute — Others— Table  of 
Stati»tic# 410 

CHAPTER  IV. 

THE   CATHOLIC   COLLEGES. 

Catliolicity  and  Learning— The  Christian  Schools  of  the  East— The  Great 
Miitia.«tic  Schools — Ireland — Great  Britain— The  Course  of  Studies  in 
these  Schools— The  Rise  of  the  Universities— Founded  by  the  Cath«lic 
C'luirch — Catholic  Students  and  Professors — Bologna,  Padua,  Oxford, 
and  Paris — Wliat  constituted  a  University — Tlie  Degrees — Piety — Rise 
of  Catholic  Colleges  in  America — Tlie  Penal  Laws — Historical  Sketch 
—Georgetown  College- Mount  St.  MarA''s  College — St.  Louis  Univer- 
sity—St. Joseph's  College— St.  Xavier's  College— St.  John's  College- 
University  of  Notre  Dame— Villanova  College— College  of  St.  Francis 
Xavier— Santa  Clara  College- Manhattan  College — Seton  Hill  College 
—Rock  Hill  College— La  Salle  College 448 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE  CATHOLIC   ECCLESIASTICAL  SEMINARIES. 

The  Council  of  Trent  and  Seminaries— Historical  Sketch— Seminary  of  St. 
Sulpice— Seminary  of  St.  Charles  Borrnmeo— St.  Vincent's  Seminary 
—Mount  St.  Mary's  of  the  West— Seminary  of  Our  Lady  of  Angels— 
St.  Joseph's  Seminary 4G(« 

CHAPTER  VI. 

EDUCATIONAL  REFORMS,   AND    THE   COMING  CATHOLIC   UNIVERSITY. 

Defects  of  our  Elementary  Schools— Female  Academies— The  Colleges— 
Dr.  Brownson's  Opinion— More  Thorough  Study  of  Philosophy,  His- 
tory, and  Religion  necessary  — Bahncs'  "European  Civilization"— 
Wanted  an  English  Text-Book  on  Philosophy— .\i.erican  Culture— 
Small  Colleges— The  Coming  Catholic  Uuivi-rsify- Why  it  is  Wanted. .  471 


XIV 


Contents. 
BOOK     V. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE   CATnOLIC   LITKRATUKE  OP    TUB   UNITED   STATES. 

C'atliolioity  the  Gnanlimi  of  Letters — The  Fathers  of  the  Church — The 
Moiiku — The  Churcli  and  Poetrj* — The  first  Hymn  of  Cliristianity — 
Others — IJteraturt'  and  Truth — English  History  an  Engine  of  Calumny 
— Cobhctt's  Saying — Literature  and  its  Divisions  —  Tlie  Missionary 
Period — Various  early  Works— An  early  Catbolie  Poem— Thayer— Car- 
roll— De  CreveccBur — Robin— Carej' 483 


CHAPTEIl  II. 

AMERICAN   CATHOLIC    LITEUATUUE    DUBINO    THB    FIR8T    HALK    OF    THE   NINE- 
TEENTH  CENTURY.  '^ 

(a.d.  1800  TO  1850.) 

Historical  Writers — Cary — Pise— Fredet — McSherry—Biograpliical  Writers 
—Campbell— Brent — Mooney—Botta— Poets— Shea— Cannon — Mrs.  Se- 
ton— Walsh— Religion— Gal  litzin — England— Kohlman.  .        .       .  493 


CHAPTER  HI. 

AMERICAN  CATHOLIC   LITERATURE  FROM  1850   TO  1876, 

History— Biography— Fiction  —Essays  and  Reviews— Religion— Traveli- 
Poetry 500 


CHAPTER  IV. 

CATHOLIC   ART,    SCIENCE,    AND  PHILOSOPHY   IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

Catholicity  the  Motlier  of  Art,  Science,  and  Philosophy — A  Glance  at  the 
Past — England — Early  Hostility  of  Protistantism  to  Science  and  Learn- 
ing— Italy — Catholic  Science  in  tlie  New  World — The  Catholic  Mission- 
aries as  Scientists  and  Piiilologists — Kenrick's  Theology — Law — Other 
Scientific  Writers — Catholic  Art  in  America — Oratorj' — Pliilosophy — 
Can  Science  conflict  with  Catliolicity  ?— TTie  United  States  and  Higher 
Sciince— A  Catliolic  University  needed 

CHAPTER  V. 

CATHOLIC  JOURNALISM   IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

Introductory— The  Weekly  Catholic  Press— The  Magazines— The  Quar- 
terlies—The Age  of  JouruMlism— Good  and  Bad  I'npers— Some  News- 
paper Defects  -The  Catholic  Editor— Table  of  Catholic  Journals. 


5.34 


543 


Coiiicnts. 


XV 


CHAPTEIi  VI. 

THE  CATIiOl.IC  I'lIBLISHEKS  Of  TIIE  mflTEP  8TATE8. 

Catliollc8  and  Printiii<>;— American  Cutholic  Publishers  of  Philadelphia- 
New  York— Baltimore— Boston— Concluding  Remarks.  . 


557 


BOOK   VI. 


chaptp:r  t. 


"multum  in  pakvo." 

Tlie  Catliolic  Irish  in  America — Ireland's  Mission — Tlie  Church  Builders 
of  America — Deep  Ci)nvictions — Examjiles — Love  of  Holy  Ireland — 
St.  Tlmmas  Acjuinas — Testimony  of  Mc(iee  and  Dr.  White — The  Cath- 
(ilic  Oermans  —  French  —  Spaniards  —  Enf;ii8h  —  Indians — Negroes — 
Catholic  Charity.  .        .        .        ■ .565 

CHAPTER  11. 

THE   LOSSES,  GAISS,  AND  nOPES   OF    CATnOLICITT   IN  THE  CNITED  STATES. 

The  Losses  of  Catholicity— Before  the  Revolution— Durinfr  the  llrst  Half 
Century  of  this  Refmplie's  Existence— During  the  second  Half  Century 
—Tlie  (lains — A  Powerful  Organization— Tlie  Hopes — The  Future  of 
Catliolieity  in  the  Land  of  Washington  and  Carroll 579 

Catiiolic  Chronology  of  the  United  States, 605 

Appendix, 609 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INDEX. 


11 


Baltimore,  Lord,  144. 
Burry,  Commodore,  187. 
Kavlev,  Arthbisliop,  594. 
BiirboT,  FiitluM-, '^'.H). 
Bliincliet.,  Arclibisliop,  592. 
Boiiryrois,  Mother,  ii3. 
Brownsoii,  Dr ,  ()03. 
Brute,  IMsbop,  280. 

Cancer,  Father,  80. 
Can-oil,  Charles,  17r2. 
Carroll,  Archbishop,  227. 
Charles  the  liidiun  I'^ing,  90. 
Columbus,  Admiral.  17. 
Connolly,  Bisiiop,  267. 

Damex,  Father,  389. 
I)e  Brcbeuf,  Father,  03. 
Do  Cori)a,  Fatlier,  S3. 
])(■  Chevcrus,  Cardinal,  364. 
De  Siiiet,  Father,  340. 
Doiii^aii,  Governor,  150. 
Dubois,  Bishop,  277. 

Fnoi.ani),  Bishoj',  309. 

Fenwick,  Bii*nop,  274. 
Flaget,  Bishop,  2(il, 

(iALi.rrziN,  Prince,  498. 
(iarakontii',  the  Indian  Chief,  130. 
Gaston,  Judge,  393. 

IIecker,  Father,  388. 
Ilenni,  Archbishop,  597. 
Uughes,  Archbishop,  321. 


I  JoQUEg,  Father,  111. 

j  Kenrick,  Archbishop,  317. 

Lamy,  ARCiimsnoP,  598. 
La  Salle,  14. 
I  Lout^hlin,  Bishop,  001, 
Lynch,  Archbishop,  600. 

Marquette,  Father,  119. 
Martinez,  Father,  80. 
MeCioskey,  Cardinal,  589. 
McElroy,  "Father,  3a5. 
Moylan,  General,  178. 

Neumann,  Bishop,  337. 

O'Connor,  Bishop,  333. 

Patrick,  Brother,  391. 
Pulaski,  Count  177. 
Purcell,  Arelibishop,  591. 

Seton,  Mother,  416. 
Sorin,  Fatlier,  387. 
Spalding,  Archbishop,  338. 

Tankv,  Chii;i'-Jlstice, 345. 
Teliirahkwita,  Catiiarine,  126. 
Teresa,  Mother,  419. 
Timon,  Bir-liop,  3o3. 
Toussaint,  Peter,  297. 

Weningeu,  Father,  390. 
White,  Father,  87. 
Wood,  Archbishop,  596. 

(xvi) 


POPULAR  HISTORY 

OF  THK 

CATHOLIC    CHURCH 

IN  THE 

UNITED   STATES. 

BOOK    I. 


INTRODUCTION. 


THE     EARLY     CATHOLIC     DISCOVERERS 

SUCCESSOKS. 


COLUMBUS     AND      HIS 


ODU  centennial— poetry — CATnOT.rCITT  NO  STHANOKU  IN  TIIK  NEW 
WORLD— FOUND  EVKUYWIIICRE— ITS  PRESENT  NUMIJEHS— BIRD'S- 
ETE  VIEW  OF  EUROPE  IN  THE  KIPTEENTn  CENTlIllY — PROTEST- 
ANTISM UNKNOWN — CATHOLIC  PROURESS- COLUMBUS— THE  MYSTE- 
RIOUS ATLANTIC— THE  LOFTY  MOTIVES  OP  AMERICA'S  DISCOVERER  — 
HIS  DIFFICULTIES— THE  DISCOVERY  DUE  TO  A  LADY,  A  MARINER, 
AND  A  MONK— THE  VOYAGE — THE  FIRST  HYMNS  HEARD  ON  THE 
ATI-ANTIC— SAN  SALVADOR— HOMEWARD  ROUND— A  TEMPKST  AND 
A  VOW — THE  CHEAT  ADMIRAL  SAFELY  HOME  —  REJOICING,  AND 
GRAND  RECEPTION  BY  THE  SPANISH  SOVEREIGNS— THE  CATHOLIC 
SUCCESSOKS  OF  COLUMBUS— THE  CABOTS — O.IEDA — PONCE  DE  LI'^ON — 
BALBOA  —  MAGELLAN  —  CARTIER  —  DE  SOTO  —  CHAMPLAIN—  MAU- 
QUETTE— LA  SALLE. 

"Let  ine  review  the  scene 
And  summon  from  the  shadowy  past 
The  forms  that  once  have  been." 

The  grand  event  of  our  liistorv  is  aceomplislied.  The 
most  powerful  nation  of  tlie  INew  World,  the  greatest  Re- 
public of  all  time  celebrates  the  centennial  cmnlvcrsary 
of  its  independence.  We  have  a  thousand  reasons  to  be 
grateful.  But  the  present  should  not  lead  us  to  forget  the 
past.  This  is  a  period  to  pause,  look  back,  review  the 
rapidly  receding  centuries  of  American  history,  profit  by 
their  lessons,  giv*.  honor  to  whom  honor  is  due. 


2  CatiLolicHy  in  the  United  States. 

"  Ptts«  l)ut  four  lloctinj^  eonturios  biu-k  ; 
This  land  a  torpid  giant  Klept, 
Wnippc'd  in  a  mantle  thick  and  bhiok 
That  o'or  its  mighty  frame  had  crept. 

*  >l<  >l<  *  >!< 

Now  this  young  hind,  the  froo,  the  proud, 
Uncrush(?d  by  power,  unawed  by  fear, 

Her  knee  to  none  but  God  is  bowed, 
For  nature  teaches  freedom  here. " 

In  tliis  centennial  year  it  is  most  opportune  "  to  glance 
adown  the  stream  of  time"  at  the  "  four  fleeting  centuries" 
mentioned  \)\  the  poet.  The  story  of  Catholicity  in  the 
Western  World  is  the  golden  chain  that  connects  the  laud- 
ing of  Columbus  with  ISTC).  Should  I  succeed  in  telling 
even  a  portion  of  it,  I  shall  be  more  than  happy. 


CATnoLicrrT  no  "  forkigner  " 


IX    AMERICA. 


Si     ! 

Si    ! 


In  this  laud  Catholicity  is  no  foreiguer.  Here  it  pre- 
ceded all  other  creeds  and  forms  of  faitli.  The  records  of 
the  past  might  be  better  known  ;  they  stand  the  glorious 
monuments  of  our  sublime  old  Church.  For  her,  time  tells 
a  divine  story.  Antiquity  crowns  her  with  its  sanction,  and 
around  her  brow  sheds  a  halo  of  glory  and  veneration.  For 
nearly  four  hundred  years  has  Catholicity  blessed  the  New 
AVorld  with  the  light  of  its  genius,  the  glow  of  its  charity,  and 
the  inspiring  sublimity  of  its  peacefid  and  imposing  pres- 
ence. The  most  ancient  and  powerful  institution  in  Europe, 
it  is  likewise  the  most  ancient  and  powerful  in  America. 
The  people  of  the  AYestern  World  who  to-day  gloi'y  in 
professing  the  faith  of  Columbus,  are  not  linn'tod  to  any 
single  state  or  country.  Their  boundary  line  is  that  of  the 
continent.  They  can  be  found  at  all  points  from  I'ehi-ing 
Strait  to  Cape  Horn.  Their  influence  is  felt  in  all  ranks 
of  society,  for  tliey  have  their  place  in  all,  from  the  highest 
to  the  most  humble.  For  them  the  glorious  title  of  CathoUc 
is  no  misnomer ;  they  are  truly  so  in  faith,  and  woi'ks,  and 
extent  of  territory.     Theii-  ]n(':;pnt  number  in  North  and 


fuh'odnctioii.  3 

South  AintM-ica  must  exceed  ."iU, 000, 000,  of  which,  I  believe, 
()ur>owii  favored  (•(Miiitry  can  claitn  over  (!.(>00,000.  The 
Htorv  of  (jitliolic  [)r<)<j:ress  in  the  hmd  of  AVashiugton  and 
( 'arroll  forms  one  of  the  hri^'litest  and  grainiest  chapters  in 
American  history.  True,  it  is  a  tear-and-smilc  narrative. 
As  gold  through  a  furnace,  so  the  ancient  faith  passed 
til  rough  the  fires  of  persecution. 

To  preserve  the  unity  of  our  theme,  a  unity  which  links 
the  past  with  the  present,  it  is  necessary  to  carry  oui*  niinds 
back  to  a  former  age,  an  age  before  .-team-shi]xs  rode  the 
mighty  billows  of  the  Atlantic,  an  age  before  the  great 
Empire  C-ity  stood  u]><m  ISranhattan  Island,  an  ago  before 
America  was  marked  on  the  map  of  the  world  ! 


niRDS-EYE     VIEW     OF     EUROPE    IN    THE    FIFTEENTH     CENTURY. 

Let  us  take  a  bird's-eye  view  of  Europe  four  centuries 
ago.  Then,  most  of  the  great  European  nations  of  to-day 
were  rapidly  reaching  maturity — making  really  marvelous 
progress  in  art,  science,  and  discovery.  Foi' glorious  achieve- 
ments the  fifteenth  century  stands  the  most  brilliant  in  all 
history.  Protestantism  was  unknown.  The  nations  were 
all  one  in  faith — Catholic.  Their  power  for  good,  which 
sprung  from  this  solidity,  this  massive  religious  unity,  Avas 
not  weakened  and  broken  by  the  unhappy  dissensions,  caused 
at  a  later  period  by  the  so-called  Reformation. 

Spain  was  about  making  her  tin  i!  grand  and  successful 
assault  on  Granada,  the  last  stronghold  of  the  Mooi's  in 
the  land  of  Isabella.  The  prowess  of  Spanish  chivaliw  was 
to  hurl  the  brave,  but  infidel  Mussulman  across  'he  Straits  of 
(Til)raltar,  and  forever  annihilate  the  ])ower  of  the  Arabian 
]>rophet  in  the  romantic  plains  and  valleys  of  Andalusia. 

France  stood  a  united  nation.  There,  English  power  and 
English  influence,  long  dominant,  received  their  death-blow 
at  the  gentle  hands  of  Joan  of  Arc.  A  marvelous  sight, 
indeed,  to  behold — a  pnre,  simple,  and  beautiful  girl  of 
seventeen,  proving  the  heroine  and  savior  of  la  helle  France  / 
and  by  her  inspire  I  feat    of   arms,    turning  disaster  into 


ii 


tfll       T  I 


I     :  ! 


i  I 


It 


4  Catlioliiity  iti  the   United  States. 

IriuiMph,  lifting  jilot't  the  haiiner  of  victory,  and  elcviitiiig 
lit'i-  native  country  to  a  place  among  the  great  nations  of  the 
M'orld  ! 

Portugal  took  the;  lead  in  discovery  and  maritime  enter- 
prise.    The  Ile])ul)llcs  of  Italy  were  the  Beats  of  commerce. 

In  I'^nglaud  the  clash  oi  arms  and  tierce  tliirty-jears'  con- 
test, styled  the  "  AV'^ar  of  the  lioses,"  was  apj)roaching  its 
termination.  0 

Even  then,  Ireland  felt  the  stem  rule  of  her  British  sister. 
An  English  decree  of  that  day  commanded  the  countrymen 
of  Columha  and  Ih'ian  Boru  to  ehaui^e  their  C'eltic  surnames 
to  something  Anglo-Saxon.  Catholic  England,  of  course, 
did  not  punish  the  Irishman  for  his  faith;  his  surname  and 
his  nationality  were  his  chief  crimes. 

Catholic  Germany  rendered  the  fifteenth  century  remark- 
able by  the  invention  of  ])rinting.  The  period  which 
deformed  the  faith  of  C^harlemagne  and  ]n'oduced  a  huriiing 
zeal  that  transformed  beautiful  churches  into  smoke,  had  yet 
to  dawn.  Jsor  had  the  simple  people  who  dwelt  on  the 
banks  of  the  Oder,  Elbe,  and  Rhine  dreamed  of  that  still 
later  time,  that  brass-iron-and-powder  age,  when  cannons  are 
canonized,  and  rifles  regarded  as  of  more  value  than  freedom 
and  reliii-ion  ! 

The  spirit  of  liberty  which  the  famous  William  Tell 
aroused  among  the  Swiss,  triumphed ;  and  a  Catholic  re- 
public flourished  at  the  foot  of  the  Alps  long  before  America 
was  discovered.  Nor  was  Switzerland  alone.  The  Catholic 
republics  of  Venice,  Genoa,  Andorra,  and  San  Mai'ino 
existed  and  flourished  hundreds  of  years  before  the  discovery 
of  the  AVestern  AVorld. 

The  bright  Idades  and  brighter  lives  of  Ilunniades  and 
Scanderberg  shed  a  lustre  on  the  arms  of  Southern  Europe. 
Such  was  the  fame  of  their  prowess  that  the  hauditv  Mut^- 
sulman  dreaded  the  very  mention  of  their  Catholic  names. 

Poland,  at  this  time,  began  to  attract  attention.  Her 
people  displayed  that  heroic  enterprise  which  ^oon  made 
them  the  bulwark  of  Europe  and  the  terror  of  the  Turk. 


Introductio)i.  5 

111  tlioncxt  century  the  swords  of  her  Catliolin  sons  flashed 
ak>n<^  the  Danube,  and  slic  attained  the  zenitli  of  her  glory 
under  the  iniinortal  Suhieski. 

Printini;  having  heen  invented,  books  were  rapidly  multi- 
jdyiiiii:.  The  fall  of  (Constantinople  into  the  hands  of  the 
victorious,  but  barbarous  Turks,  forced  the  remains  of  (Jrcek 
leariiin<j:  and  literature  to  seek  a  home  in  Western  Europe; 
and,  since  that  day,  the  langua^i^e  of  Homer  h.'>^  l)een  lionored 
with  a  ])lace  in  every  college  programme  of  studies.  The 
comj)ass  was  invented,  and  imvigation  grcvv  into  an  art.  The 
spirit  of  faith  erected  the  grand  (Tothic  C/athedral  with  its 
graceful  spires  lost  in  their  heavenward  direction.  Sixty- 
f(»iir  universities  8he<l  rays  of  intellectual  light  over 
Kiiro|)e.  In  short,  the  foundations  of  modern  Euro])ean  great- 
ness were  laid.  Our  (Jatholic  forefathers  were  men  of  labor 
and  vast  enterprise.  The  monuments  they  left  behind  bear 
witness  to  their  lofty  achievements.  But  ''above  all  rose 
Ivonie,  mother  and  mistress  of  Christian  nations,  patron  of 
every  science,  protector  of  every  art,  preserver  of  every 
relic  of  enlightened  anti(|uity." 


A    CATHOLIC    IIEKO. 

Just  foui"  hundred  years  ago,  there  dwelt  in  the  city  of 
Jiisbon,  a  Genoese  mariner,  M'ho,  when  not  engaged  in  some 
coasting  voyage,  spent  his  time  in  the  bosom  of  his  humble 
home,  in  study  and  ma])-niaking.  He  was  al)Out  forty  yeai's 
of  age  ;  but  trouble  and  profound  rellection  had  long  since 
turned  his  hair  grey.  About  his  whole  figure  there  was 
nothing  common.  Hio  appearance  was  impressive.  Tali, 
well-formed,  and  commanding  in  person,  his  elevated  de- 
meanor, his  intellectual  brow,  his  kindling  eye,  his  manly 
and  maui-netic  countenance — all  suo'fjested  an  air  of  modest 
distinction. 

This  was  Columbus.  Extensive  reading,  study,  and  ex- 
perience had  convinced  him  of  the  true  shape  of  the  earth  ; 
and  his  piercing  intellect  at  once  grasped  the  mighty  prob- 
lem of  reachins:  other  continents  bv  a  direct  course  across 


II- !i 


lit      i 

-^i      1 

i. 

i 

Mi 

i 

f 

' 

6  Catliolia'ty  in  the   i'm'/cd  Sfaics. 

llio  liitlicrto  unsjiiltMl  Atlantic.  On  its  wide  ox|)jinso  no 
injii'iiR'i'  liiul  (laivd  to  vcnturo.  Its  vust  and  dt'op  WHtors 
were  jv^arded  with  inysterionrt  awe,  Heeniing  to  bound  tlie 
world  as  with  a  chaos,  into  which  con jocture  could  not  pene- 
trate, and  enterprise  feared  to  adventure. 

Columbus  was  poor  in  the  goods  of  this  world.  Tt)  aid  him 
in  carrying  out  his  grand  projects,  the  assistance  of  a  rich  pa- 
tron was  essential.  IJut  alas,  for  manly  wortli  and  genius, 
long  years  were  si)ent  in  fruitless  elforts  to  obtain  even  a  hear- 
ing. Nothing,  however,  could  daunt  the  fearless  energy  of 
the  incomparable  man.  He  was  a  firm  believer  in  the  divin- 
ity of  his  missu)n.  lie  was  convinced  that  the  time  bad 
arrived  to  accomplish  it.     For 

"  There  is  a  tide  in  the  utlairs  of  men, 
VVhicli  taken  at  tlio  flood  leads  on  to  fortune." 

The  long  and  painful  prejjuratory  efforts  of  (Johimbus  to 
interest  the  old  world  in  his  ])roject  would,  at  this  day.  seem 
almost  incredible.  Jfe  bcsoui^ht  Genoa  and  Venice  for  a 
ship  or  two  to  find  his  world,  and  they  refused  him;  he  ])eti- 
tioned  the  wise  kings  of  Portugal  and  England,  and  they 
would  not  risk  a  single  sail  in  such  a  quest;  he  sojourned 
long  about  the  court  of  Spain,  appealing  to  the  wisdom  of 
the  wise,  the  judgment  of  the  learned,  the  ambition  of  the 
brave,  and  the  avarice  of  the  ac(]uisitive;  but  he  argued, 
appealed,  petitioned  in  vain !  No  one  believed  in  his 
theory,  or  hoped  in  his  adventure.  The  wise  smiled 
scornfully,  the  learned  laughed  in  their  academic  sleeves, 
and  even  the  brave  had  no  ambition  for  battling  the  tempest, 
or  for  planting  their  banners  in  the  wide  sea-field,  or  on  the 
shores  of  unknown  continents.  Nearly  all  looked  u])on  him 
as  a  visionary—  regarded  him  in  tlie  sinne  liglit  as  we  should 
a  ])erson  of  the  present  day  who  would  launch  forth  in  a 
balloon  on  a  voyage  of  discovery  to  the  lunar  regions. 

Columbus,  however,  was  no  weak-hearted  enthusiast.  His 
great  soul  was  not  to  be  cast  down  by  the  malice  of  fortune. 
Heaven     strengthened    him ;    and   his  pure   and  elevated 


JntrodiictioH.  7 

motives  eiuiMi'd  liiiii  to  hear  up  hravely  against  delay,  pov- 
eity,  and  conteiiipt.  Wliat  doea  history  tell  us  of  the  iu- 
Hj)iitd  iiiariiicr's  motives  ^  \\..)  Cohuiihus  .solemnly  desired 
to  open  the  way  to  i)aii;an  lands;  to  he  the  means  of  carrylnj^ 
the  savinj?  truths  of  the  (iospel  to  the  lieathen  who  sat  in 
darkness  and  the  shadow  of  death.  (2.)  lie  eoneeive<l  the 
i^rand  idea  of  raisin*:;  s'.'llieient  sums  of  money  to  defray  the 
exj)enses  of  e([uippin<jf  a  hirge  army  for  the  rescue  of  the 
Holy  Sepulchre  from  the  hands  of  the  harhart)U8  and  intidel 
Turk.  The  discoverer  of  America  was,  indeed,  a  true 
CJatholic  son  of  the  Crusaders,  a  right  worthy  successor  of 
(fodfery,  St.  Louis,  and  St.  I'ernard.  His  very  name  ho 
regarded  as  prophetic  of  his  suhlime  mission.  (Miristopher 
signities  •'  the  Chriat-hearer^^''  and  Cohimhus,  a  "  dove.''''  More 
than  once  in  life  did  angelic  voices  comfort  him.  On  one  of 
tliose  dark  days  when  des])iiir  hovered  around  his  sick  couch, 
lie  heard  the  words :  "  God  will  cause  thy  name  to  be  won- 
derfully resounded  through  the  earth,  and  give  thee  the  keys 
of  the  gates  of  the  ocean,  which  are  closed  with  strong  chains." 

DAKK    DAYS    SUCCEEDED   BY    SUNSHINE. 

The  story  of  his  voyage  has  been  (»ften  told.  But  it  can 
never  become  threadbare — can  never  cease  to  be  interesting 
to  all  who  lo^  l-  the  good,  the  beautiful,  the  sublime. 
Columbus  had  readied  his  iifty-seventh  year,  and  his  pros- 
pects of  securing  a  patron  to  aid  him  were  as  distant  as 
e\er.  lie  was  about  to  quit  Spain,  a  sad  and  disappointed 
man.  On  his  way  he  called  at  the  convent  of  La  Ilabida, 
over  wliich  ruled  his  acquaintance,  the  good  Franciscan, 
Father  John  Perez.  When  the  worthy  monk  beheld  Colum- 
bus once  more  at  the  gate  of  his  convent,  humble  in  garb  and 
east  down  in  spirit,  he  was  greatly  moved.*  Father  Perez 
had  once  been  confessor  to  Queen  Isabella,  and  he  bethought 
himself  what  he  could  do.  "Before  midnight,"  writes 
AVashington  Imng,  "the  warm-hearted  priest  iiad  saddled 


*  Irving. 


fl 


Mi" 

J. 


!'^  II 


)■;'        i 


I  ill 


SI     i 


8  Catholicity  in  the  Uyiited  States. 

hiB  mule  and  departed.''  Next  day,  accompanied  by  Cardi- 
nal Mendoza,  he  obtained  an  interview  with  the  royal  lady. 
The  friar  and  the  cardinal  so  eloquently  pleaded  in  behalf 
of  the  mission  of  Columbus,  that  Isabella  the  Catholic,  like 
a  noble  and  unselfish  woman  as  she  was,  exclaimed :  "  I 
undertake  it  for  my  own  crown  of  Castile,  and  I  will  pledge 
my  jewels  to  raise  the  necessary  funds." 

ISABELLA   OF   SPAIN. 

Of  all  the  illustrious  women  of  history,  Isabella  alone  is 
honored  with  the  beautiful  title  of  the  Catholic^  in  considera- 
tion of  her  greatness  and  illustrious  piety.  Hers  is  one  of  the 
brightest  names  that  adorn  the  annals  of  the  past.  Her 
beauty  and  genius  were  only  surpassed  by  her  virtues. 
With  Columbus  she  shares  the  glory  of  discoverhig  America. 
"  Iler  schemes,"  says  Prescott,  "  were  vast  and  executed  in 
the  same  noble  spirit  in  which  they  were  conceived.  She 
seconded  Columbus  in  the  prosecution  of  his  arduous  enter- 
prise, and  sliielded  him  from  the  calumny  of  his  enemies. 
But  the  jjrinciple  which  gave  a  peculiar  coloring  to  every 
feature  of  Lsabella's  mind,  was  piety.  It  shone  forth  from 
the  very  depths  of  her  soul  with  a  heavenly  radiance  which 
illuminated  lier  whole  character.  At  an  early  age,  in  the 
flower  of  youth  and  beauty,  she  was  introduced  to  her 
brother's  court ;  but  its  blandishments,  so  dazzliug  to  a  y6ung 
imagination,  had  no  power  over  hers;  for  she  was  sur- 
rounded by  a  moral  atmosphere  of  purity. 

Driving  afar  off  each  thing  of  sin  and  guilt.  * 

"  Isabella  of  Spain,"  says  Irving,  "was  one  of  the  purest 
and  most  beautiful  characters  in  the  pages  of  history,"  As 
Prescott  and  Irving  were  Protestants,  their  eloquent  ^vords 
of  eulogy  for  this  celebrated  Catholic  lady  will  be  none 
the  less  appreciated. 

Truly,  in  the  foi-eground  of  American  history  there  stand 
three  ligures — a  mariner,  a  monk,  and  a  lady.    Might  they 


*  "Ferdinand  and  Isabella." 


Introduction.  9 

not  be  thought  to  typify  Faith,  Hope  and  Charity  ?*  Colum- 
bus— Perez — Isabella — they  shall  never  be  forgotten !  The 
]*^ew  World  is  their  monument.  Every  Ai.ieriean  is  their 
debtor,  and  our  Centennial  Anniversary  whispers  their 
eulogy. 

THE  ADVENTUROUS   VOYAGE. 

Preparations  having  been  completed,  the  morning  at 
length  hiwned  on  which  Columbus  was  to  sail  on  his  peril- 
ous vc}  age  across  the  unknown  and  mysterious  deep.  It 
was  August  3,  1492. 

'•  The  morning  is  breaking  on  Pales  bay, 
On  its  town  and  wharf,  and  ramparts  gray, 
On  three  barks  at  their  moorings  that  gallantly  ride, 
Witli  the  towers  of  Castile  on  their  flags  of  pride. 
But  where  are  their  crews,  our  lost  kinsman  who  shall 
Embark  ^ofore  noon  in  each  doomed  caraval  ? 
There's  wringing  of  hands,  and  wailing  and  woe, 
As  the  gathering  crowds  to  the  churches  go. 

And  who  is  this  man,  in  speech  and  gesture  simple  as  a  child, 
But  stem  betimes  as  suits  sea-roamer  and  planner  of  day- 
dreams wild  ? " 

The  person  pictured  by  the  poet's  pen  as  a  "  sea-roamer 
and  planner  of  day-dreams  "  was  no  other  than  Columbus. 
AYliat  sacred  emotions  stiri'ed  his  brave  lieart  on  that  early 
morning!  "With  what  aj'dor  he  besought  high  Ileaven 
for  success  !  In  those  distant  days  of  faith,  no  great  enter- 
j^rise  was  undei'taken  without  invoking  the  aid  of  religion 
and  the  solemn  blessing  of  the  Church.  Columbus  had 
Mass  offered  up  in  a  temporary  chapel  on  Palos  strand. 
Father  Perez  heard  his  humble  confession.  At  the  head  of 
all  his  crews,  numbering  one  hundred  and  twenty  men,  he 
received  Holy  Communion,  the  true  bread  of  saints  and 
heroes.  The  sacred  cei;emony  over,  they  board  their  tiny 
l)arks.  Columbus  places  his  little  fleet  under  the  benign 
protection  of  the  most  Holy  Virgin — the  "  Star  of  the  Sea." 

*  McGee. 


lO 


Catholicity  in  the   United  States. 


lito   v. 

f!    '^ 
ill 


iNI 


1  ^ 

w 

V 

\  : 

I 

\ 

1 
[ 

i 

'  i 

And  they  departed  with  the  benediction  of  the  Church,  like 
the  breath  of  Heaven  filling  their  sails.* 

"  THE    SEA,   THE   SEA,    THE   OPEN    SEA  !  " 

Although  Columbus  had  the  title  of  High  Admiral,  his 
scpiadron  consisted  of  only  three  vessels,  not  so  large  as  the 
coasting  smacks  of  the  present  day.  But  one  of  them,  the 
Santa  Maria,  had  a  deck.f  As  they  sailed  along,  each  even- 
ing heard  the  Catholic  mariners'  prayer  to  God,  and  their 
pious  hymns  of  praise  to  the  Most  Blessed  Yii'gin.  Tiie 
grand  old  Latin  verses  of  the  Salve  Hegina  and  the  Ave 
Maris  Stella  were  the  first  sounds  that  ever  broke  the  silence 
of  ages  on  that  trackless  waste  of  waters.  How  appro- 
priate are  the  beautiful  words  of  the  Ave  Maris  Stella : 

Bright  Mother  of  our  Maker,  hail ! 

Thou  Virgin  ever  blest, 
The  Ocean's  Star  by  which  we  sail 

And  gain  the  port  of  rest  I 

When,  after  many  weeks  had  glided  by,  and  despair  took 
the  place  of  hope  in  the  breast  of  the  ignorant  and  terror- 
stricken  crews,  there  was  still  one  guiding,  master  mind, 
"  constant  as  the  northern  star."  The  great  soul  of  Colum- 
bus awed  mutiny  and  despair  into  submission. 

" LAND,    LAND ! " 

At  length  the  "  promi^^ed  land  "  l)urst  on  their  view.  The 
illusti'ious  Admiral  threw  himself  on  his  knees,  and  with  all 
his  men,  chanted  a  Gloria  in  Excelsis — the  first  Catholic 
hymn  whose  swelling  cadences  were  wafted  to  the  shores 
of  America ! 

' '  Glory  to  God  !  "  brave  manly  voices  sung — 
"  Glory  to  God  1 "  the  vales  and  mountains  rung. 

Having  Bignalled  his  fleet  to  cast  anchor  and  man  the 


*  McGee. 

t  It  is  worthy  of  remark  that  the  Admiral's  ship,  the  chief  ves- 
sel in  which  America  was  discovered,  was  named  the  Holy  Mary, 


Introduction. 


II 


boats,  the  Admiral  entered  his  own,  richly  attired  in  scarlet, 
and  beaiing  the  royal  standard,  llis  two  chief  officers  like- 
wise put  oil  their  boats,  each  bearing  the  banner  of  the  enter- 
prise, emblazoned  with  a  green  cross.  "  On  landing,"  says 
AYashington  Irving,  "  Columbus  threw  himself  upon  his 
knees,  kissed  the  earth,  and  returned  thanks  to  God  with 
tears  of  joy.  Then  rising,  he  drew  his  sword,  displayed  the 
royal  standard,  and  took  possession  in  the  names  of  the 
Castilian  sovereigns."  He  called  the  island  San  Salvador. 
Such  ivas  the  first  Catholic  landing  in  the  Western  Worlds 
October  13,  1402 ! 

What  true  greatness,  what  sublime  faith  were  here  dis- 
played !  Self  was  altogether  lorgotten.  Whether  taking 
possession  of  a  new  land,  or  giving  it  a  name,  the  lamp  of 
religion  guided  the  way ;  the  glory  was  given  to  God.  Ad 
majorem  Dei  gloriam.  Keitlier  the  name  of  Columbus 
nor  that  of  his  patron  is  peq^etuated  on  cape,  river,  or  island.* 
With  a  lofty  Catholicity  of  purpose,  his  mind  soared  aijovo 
earth,  and  his  new  discoveries  were  called  San  Salvador,f 
Santa  Trinadada,;}:  San  I)omingo,§  San  Nicholas,  San  Jago,| 
Santa  Maria,  etc. 


HOMEWARD    BOUND. 


Religion  was  the  strength,  the  guiding  star  of  this  extra- 
ordinary man.  Scarcely  was  the  prow  of  his  frail  bark 
turned  on  its  homeward  voyage,  when  a  dreadful  tempest 
threatened  to  engulf  the  discoverer  of  America.  In  that 
dark  day  of  distress,  he  implored  the  protection  of  our 
Blessed  Mother,  vowing  a  pilgrinuige  to  her  nearest  shrine 
the  first  land  he  made — a  vow  punctually  fulfilled.  When 
the  great  Admiral  once  more  touched  the  shores  of  sunny 
Spain,  his  first  act  was  a  solemn  procession  to  the  Church  of 
St.  George  to  retui-n  thanks  to  God — to  have  a  Te  Deum 
chanted  for  his  happy  success.     In  his  letter  to  the  sover- 


*McGee. 

\  Holy  8avior. 

I  Holy  Trinity. 


§St.  Dominic. 
U  St.  James. 


5 


1 
i; 

'1 

i! 

i 

1 

f 

i 
1 

1 

i 

i 
j 

i 

III 

i 

[ 

1 

1^1 


12 


CatJwlicity  in  ike  Uniicd  States. 


eigiis,  signifying  his  arrival,  there  is  no  tinge  of  egotism, 
no  talk  about  his  achievements.  He  simply  asks  Spain  to 
exliibit  a  holy  joy,  "for  Christ  rejoices  on  earth  as  in 
Heaven,  seeing  the  futm-e  redemption  of  souls."  The  court 
was  at  Barcelona,  and  his  reception  there  may  well  be 
imagined.  One  of  the  brightest  Catholic  intellects  of  our 
age  draws  the  following  correct  and  vivid  picture : 

**  A  thousand  trumpets  ring  within  old  Barcelona's  walls, 

A  thousand  gallant  nobles  throng  in  Barcelona's  halls. 

All  meet  to  gaze  on  him  who  wrought  a  pathway  for  mankind, 

Through  seas  as  broad,  to  worlds  as  rich,  as  his  triumphant 

mind  ; 
And  King  and  Queen  will  grace  forsooth  the  mariners'  array, 
The  lonely  seaman,  scoffed  and  scorned  in  Palos  town  one  day  ! 

He  comes,  ho  comes  I    The  gates  swing  wide,  and  through  the 

streets  advance 
His  cavalcade  in  proud  parade,  with  plume  and  pennoned  lance, 
And  natives  of  those  new-found  worlds,  and  treasures  all  un- 
told— 
And  in  the  midst  the  Admiral,  his  charger  trapped  with  gold  : 
And  all  are  wild  with  joy,  and  blithe  the  gladsome  clarions  swell, 
And  dames  and  princes  press  to  greet,  and  loud  the  myriads 

yell. 
They  cheer,  that  mob,  they  wildly  cheer — Columbus  checks  his 

rein, 
And  bends  him  to  the  beauteous  dames  and  cavaliers  of  Spain."* 

THE   CATHOLIC    SUCCESSORS   OF   COLUMBUS. 

We  see  that  the  discovery  of  the  Western  World  was, 
pre-eminently,  a  Catholic  entei'prise.  Protestantism  had  no 
share  in  that  vast  achievement.  It  did  not  then  exist. 
Luther  was  but  nine  years  of  age  when  Columbus  planted 
the  cross  on  the  shores  of  San  Salvador.  The  successors  of 
the  great  Admiral  were  also  Catholics,  sent  out  by  Catholic 
governments.  It  would  be  injustice  not  to  mention  a  few 
of  these  eminent  men. 

+  McGee. 


Introdiiction. 


n 


The  Cabot3  sailed  aloi\g  our  coasts,  and  erected  tlio 
cross  on  Cape  Cod,  one  liundred  and  twenty-two  years 
before  the  gnin  and  intolerant  Puritan  set  his  foot  on 
Plymouth  Hock — "  the  Blarney  Stone  of  America." 

In  1510,  Ojeda  settled  the  Isthmus  of  Darien.  A  gay 
and  accomplished  cavalier,  he  was  as  pious  as  a  monk,  and 
as  bi-ave  as  his  own  bright  sword.  He  was  remai'kable  for 
his  enthusiastic  devotion  to  the  Most  Blessed  Virgin.  From 
Las  Casas,  we  learn  that  Ojeda  always  carried  about  him  an 
exquisite  little  painting  of  the  Mother  of  God.  When 
wrecked  on  hostile  coasts,  or  bewildered  in  pathless  wilds,  he 
was  wont  to  fasten  it  against  a  tree,  then  kneel  before  it, 
and  devoutly  otl'er  up  his  prayers.  In  the  little  chapel, 
which  he  built  in  fulfillment  of  a  vow,  he  placed  his  dear 
madoima.  When  he  died  the  siTr-y»le  children  of  the  forests 
were  its  only  guardians,  and  they  cared  for  it  as  something 
to  be  held  sacred.  The  venerable  Las  Casas  relates  that 
when  he  came  to  the  Indian  village,  in  which  this  chapel 
was  erected,  he  found  the  little  building  kept  with  the 
greatest  neatness,  and  the  picture  regarded  with  awe  and 
love.  And,  by  no  entreaty  could  he  prevail  upon  the  good 
old  chief  to  let  him  carry  away  the  famous  madonna  of 
Ojeda." 

On  Easter  Sunday,  1512,  Ponce  de  Leon  discovered  a 
beautiful  peninsula.  In  honor  of  the  sacred  festival — 
called  by  the  Spaniards  Pasqua  de  Flores,  or  Feast  of 
Flowers — the  new  land  was  named  Florida. 

Balboa,  Govenior  of  Darien,  discovered  the  Pacific 
Ocean  in  1513.  Historians  tell  us  that  when  he  reached 
the  summit  of  the  elevation  whence  he  first  saw  that  vast 
expanse  of  water,  he  fell  upon  his  knees,  and  poured  out  his 
Catholic  heart  in  thaidvs  and  adoration  to  God. 

The  pious  Magellan  first  raised  the  cross  on  the  most 
southern  cape  of  America ;  and  his  lleet,  for  the  first  time  in 
the  world's  history,  circumnavigated  our  globe. 


*  Irving. 


rTTijf 


mmm 


■ii' 

M 


fii 


B      1, 


1  j 

i  j 

y 

i 

Lul 

H 


Catholicity  ift  the   United  States. 


CoETEZ  subdued  Mcxioo,  and  introduced  Catholicity  into 
the  far-famed  land  of  the  Montezumas. 

A^ERAzz.vxi  was  the  first  mariner  who  entered  New  York 
Bay.     He  erected  crosses  at  various  points  along  the  coast. 

Caktier  discovered  Canada,  and  gave  a  famous  name  to 
its  great  river.  Tie  was  a  man  of  real  piety,  lie  never 
undertook  a  voyage,  or  returned  from  one,  without  receiv- 
ine:  the  blessed  sacrament  and  the  benediction  of  the  Church, 
in  the  Cathedral  of  St.  Malo. 

The  Catholic  De  Soto  discovered  the  lower  Mississippi. 
He  passed  over  it,  entering  the  State  of  Arkansas  in  1541  ; 
and  was  the  leader  of  the  first  expedition  that  raised  the 
cross  in  the  Mississi})pi  Yalley  west  of  the  Father  of  Waters. 
We  can  imagine  the  fearless  Spaniard  exclaiming : 

I  hail  theo,  valley  of  the  West, 

For  what  thou  yet  shall  be  ! 
I  hail  theo  for  the  hopes  that  rest 

Upon  thy  destiny  ! 

In  the  wilderness,  even  in  the  shadow  of  the  cross  he  raised, 
death  called  him  aw^ay ;  "  and  the  soiTOwing  Mississippi 
took  him  in  pity  to  her  breast." 

CuAMPLATN  was  the  founder,  and  the  first  and  best 
governor  of  Canada.  He  built  the  city  of  Quebec ; 
and  for  thirty-two  years,  explored  the  wilds  north  and 
south  of  the  St.  Lawi'ence.  lie  discovered  the  Lake  and 
Province  of  Ontario,  too;ether  wath  the  beautiful  sheet  of 
water  that  now  bears  his  name.  A  true  friend  to  the 
Indian,  he  was  also  a  brave  and  worthy  son  of  the 
Church.  "  To  him,"  says  the  Protestant  Warburton,  "  bo- 
longs  the  glory  of  planting  Christianity  and  civilization 
•  •noijo'  the  snows  of  those  northern  forests."  And  our 
.'  -Hn'ican  Bancroft  writes :  "  Champlain  considered  the 
:h'  vvtion  of  one  soul  as  of  more  importance  than  the  cou- 
.j  .>,.'■  of  an  empire." 

The  illustrious  Jesuit,  Marquette,  discovered  the  Upper 


Introdiiclioji, 


15 


JVIississippi,  and  was  the  first  to  sail  down  tlie  mighty  stream. 
"  The  West,"  says  Bancroft,  "  shall  build  his  monument." 

The  fearless  and  romantic  La  Salle  was  the  pioneer  nav- 
igator of  the  great  Lakes — Erie,  Huron,  and  Michigan.  As 
the  keel  of  his  schooner,  for  the  first  time,  cut  the  waters 
of  these  inland  seas,  the  solenni  sounds  of  the  Te  Dcum 
rolled  across  the  silvery  waves,  and  broke  on  shores  which 
had  never  echoed  aught  save  the  war-whoop  of  the  Eries, 
lliirons,  or  Iroquois.  "  The  Catholic  char.icter  of  La  Salle," 
says  McGee,  ''  is  marked  in  every  act  of  his  life.  He  planted 
the  cross  wherever  he  landed  foi*  even  an  hour."  His  fiery 
soul  in  its  troubles  found  consolation  in  looking  at  the  sacred 
emblem. 

"  But  when  this  cross  of  simple  wood  I  see, 
The  Star  of  Bethlehem  shines  again  for  me  ; 
And  glorious  visions  break  upon  my  gloom — 
The  patient  Christ,  and  Mary  at  the  tomb  I" 

Such  were  a  few  of  tlie  first  Catholic  discoverers,  who 
left  behind  them  bright  "  footprints  on  the  sands  of  time." 
Their  names  shed  a  lustre  on  our  early  history.  And  as 
lamps  throw  their  beams  of  light  far  into  the  shades  of 
diii-kness,  so  the  radiant  lives  of  these  illustrious  pioneei*s 
light  u])  the  gloom  of  the  past.  Though  nearly  all  persons 
of  fortune,  they  died  poor.  More  clear-headed,  entei"pris- 
ing,  unselfish  men  never  lived.  They  were  not  faultless, 
because  they  were  human.  But  where,  in  the  world's  his- 
tory, shall  we  find  a  band  of  more  glorious  and  disiixterested 
heroes  ?  In  all  that  dignifies  liumanity — in  piety,  bravery, 
enterprise — they  were  an  honor  to  our  faith,  men  "  without 
fear  and  without  reproach." 


'':l| 


!     I 


^'fif 


Is 


.  If 


!l 


BIOGKAPHY. 


"  Lives  of  great  men  all  roiniiid  us 
Wt;  cau  niiikc  our  lives  sublime, 
And  d('i)!irthiK  leave  behind  ut* 
Foot-j)rintrt  <ii  the  saiids  ol'tirae."— Lonofellow. 


CimrSTOPIIER   COLUMBUS. 

"He  was  the  conqueror,  not  of  man,  but  of  nature  ;  not  of  flesh  and  blood,  but  of 
the  fearful  unknown— of  theelenicntH."— Arthuk  Helps. 

Tho  eventful  and  glorious  life  of  Christopher  Columbus  is  the 
link  which  connects  the  history  of  the  old  world  with  that  of 
tho  new.  He  was  born  in  Genoa,  Italy,  about  the  year  1485.* 
His  father,  a  wool-comber,  gave  him  tho  best  education  his 
humble  nteans  would  afford.  At  an  early  age  the  youthful  Chris- 
topher was  sent  to  the  famous  University  of  Pavia,  where  he 
studied  g<?ometry,  geography,  astronomy,  navigation,  and  Latin. 
His  collegiate  career,  however,  was  brief,  for  he  was  soon 
obliged  to  return  home  to  assist  his  father. 

At  fourteen  years  of  ago,  Columbus  began  the  adventurous 
life  of  the  sea,  under  the  conmmnd  of  his  uncle  and  namesake, 
a  veteran  admiral  in  tiie  service  of  the  Republic  of  Genoa.  Tho 
long  time  passed  in  this  rugged  school  gave  him  that  knowl- 
edge and  experience  which  make  tho  skilled  seaman,  the  hardy 
navigator.  Opportiniities  wore  not  wanting  to  develop  his 
natural  bravery,  to  study  tho  ocean,  to  make  the  aequaintanco 
of  men  and  things. 

He  liad  spent  about  fifteen  years  in  this  active  career  when 
an  event  occurred  that  gave  a  new  direction  to  his  life.  While 
engaged  in  a  fierce  naval  encounter  off  Capo  St.  Vincent,  tho 
ship  commanded  by  Columbus  took  fire,  and  was  soon  en- 
veloped in  flames.  Throwing  himself  into  the  sea,  the  future 
discoverer  of  America  boldly  struck  for  the  shoi'O,  some  six  miles 
distant,  and  with  the  aid  of  an  oar  succeeded  in  safely  reach- 
ing it.  His  first  impulse  was  to  thank  God.  Finding  himself 
Ihus  cast  penniless  on  the  strange  coast  of  Portugal,  he  repaired 
as  best  he  could  to  Lisbon.  Here  he  was  so  happy  as  to  find  his 
brother  Jiartholomow.f 

*The  exact  date  of  his  birth  is  soniowliat  uncertain, 
t  Columbus  was  the  oldest  of  four  cluldrcji,  three  boj-s  and  one  girl. 
2  (17) 


i8 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


This  was  about  the  year  1470.  The  capital  of  Portugal  was 
then  the  centre  of  all  that  was  eminent  in  comuicrce  and  navi- 
gation. Making  this  city  his  residence,  Columbus  supported 
himself  by  drawing  maps  and  charts.  Nor  did  ho  ever  forget 
his  oged  parents,  to  whom,  from  time  to  time,  he  remitted  sums 
of  money.  Filial  love  was  one  of  the  most  beautiful  traits  in  his 
grand  and  heroic  character. 

While  in  Lisbon  a  romantic  attachment,  which  ended  in 
niamago,  took  place  between  Columbus  and  a  noolo  young 
lady,  Dona  Felippa  de  Perestrello.  Neither  was  wealthy.  Miss 
de  Pcrestrello's  riches  were  her  virtue,  beautj^,  and  accomplish- 
ments. She  was  the  daughter  of  an  eminent  navigator  who  died 
(Jovcmor  of  Porto  Santo,  but  who,  by  an  unhappy  reverse  of 
fortune,  was  compelled  to  leave  his  family  with  little  save  the 
memory  of  an  honored  name. 

This  alliance  of  Columbus  with  a  family  of  li'gh  standing 
proved  serviceable  to  him  in  many  ways.  It  introduced  him  to 
the  greatest  men  of  the  court,  and  the  most  noted  scholars  of 
the  country.  Besides,  his  ardent  spirit  of  discovery  received  a 
fresh  impulse  in  the  notes  and  journals  of  his  deceased  father- 
in-law.  He  engaged  in  many  voyages,  carefully  noting  every- 
thing new  or  valuable.  His  studies,  his  researches,  his  experi- 
ments, all  tended  towards  one  object — the  grand  project  of  pen- 
etrating the  great  ocean  which  stretched  {iway  towards  the 
"West.  This  thought  was  the  guiding  star  of  his  wonderful  life. 
But  years  rolled  away  in  battling  witii  prejudice,  ignorance,  and 
contempt.  Yet,  neither  toils,  nor  difficulties,  nor  struggles  with 
adversity  could  shake  his  mighty  heart,  or  conquer  his  indomit- 
able spirit.  And  the  memorable  day  that  Christoj)her  Columbus, 
the  greatest  of  admirals,  first  knelt  on  the  wild  shores  of  San 
Salvador,  should  be  treasured  up  in  the  minds  of  all  men  as  the 
date  of  one  of  the  very  grandest  events  in  the  history  of  the 
world.    The  long-lost  half  of  our  globe  was  found.* 

Speak  not  to  mc  of  Avarriors  bold, 

Who  battled  for  a  name  ; 
Here  was  the  Christian  Hercules, 

Who  fought  not  for  fame  ! 


But  with  the  World  struggled, 
And  single-handed  won, 

A  glorj'  great,  an  action  grand- 
More  fadeless  than  the  sun  ! 


ii:'i 


*ror  an  account  of  his  first  voyage  and  discovery  see  Introduction. 


i;;; 


Biography, 


19 


When  Columbus  roturned  to  Spain  Ijis  progroHtt  was  liko  tho 
nuircli  of  pouio  victorious  monarch.  Tho  (Jourt  was  at  Barce- 
lona. Ferdinand  and  IsaboU.v  ordered  their  throne  to  bo  ploeod 
in  public.  iSeatt'd  in  utate,  they  awaited  his  arrival.  On  the 
approach  of  tho  discoverer  of  America,  the  sovereigns  rose  as  if 
rec«'iving  a  i)erson  of  tho  highest  rank.  The  great  man  gave  a 
graphic  account  of  his  voyage.  When  he  had  linisiied,  the  king, 
queen,  and  assembled  nobles  fell  upon  their  knees,  and  the 
choir  of  the  royal  chapel  (diantod  the  Te  Dtnm. 

(iuided  by  religious  motives,  and  in  high  hopes  of  tho  vast 
wealth  that  must  accrue  from  his  discoveries,  Columbus  now 
made  a  vow  to  furnish  within  seven  years  Ave  thousand  horso 
and  fifty  thousand  foot  for  tho  recovery  of  tho  Holy  Sepulchre 
from  the  dominion  of  tho  Turks. 

It  has  been  tho  fate  of  nearly  all  groat  men  to  be  exposed  to 
the  envy  of  base  and  worthless  minds.  At  a  baiKpiet  given  to 
Columbus  by  one  of  the  nobility,  ti  shallow  courtier  asked  tho 
conqueror  of  the  ocean,  if  in  case  he  had  not  discovered  tho 
Indies,*  would  there  not  liavo  been  men  in  Spain  capable 
of  the  enterprise?  Columbus  made  no  direct  reply,  but,  taking 
an  egg,  he  invited  tho  comj)any  to  make  it  stand  on  end. 
They  all  tried,  but  in  vain.  Taking  the  q\^^^  he  struck  it  on  tho 
tabic,  breaking  the  shell,  and  leaving  it  upright.  "  Any  ono 
could  do  that  !  "  exclaimed  tho  courtier.  "  When  I  have  shown 
you  the  way,"  replied  Columbus,  leaving  the  party  to  make  the 
application.  lu  this  simple  and  jileasing  manner  he  taught 
tliem  tJiat  the  most  perplexing  things  may  become  the  easiest  to 
be  doiK,  when  we  are  once  shown  the  way,  but  not  before;  and 
that  such  was  exactly  tho  case  with  regard  to  the  attempt  of 
going  in  search  of  unknown  lands,  over  unknown  oceans. 

In  making  his  second  voyage,  Columbus  had  in  view  tho  con- 
version of  the  natives  and  vast  schemes  of  colonization.  Tho 
expedition,  which  consisted  of  seventeen  ships,  and  about 
tlfteea  hundred  persons,  among  whom  were  twelve  priests  and 
a  vicar-apostolic,  reached  llayti  in  the  latter  part  of  1493.  From 
that  to  the  day  of  liis  death  the  career  of  the  illustrious  admiral 
w;i.s  one  long  battle  with  calumny,  avarice,  depravity,  and  mis- 
fortune. The  very  gi'eatness  and  virtue  of  the  nmn  made  him 
a  host  of  bitter  foes. 

*  What  Columbus  discovered  was  not  regarded  as  a  new  continent,  but 
simply  the  eastern  portion  of  Asia,  or  the  Indies — hence  the  name  of  Indians. 
Culunibus  died  without  knowing  tlic  real  grandeur  of  his  vast  discovery.  It 
was  only  in  later  times  that  America  was  found  to  be  a  distinct  eontineut, 
unconnected  with  Asia. 


I* 


ill  1  ! 


■!  .1  :i: 


V  •■ 


r  V' 


20  Calliolicity  in  the   Uniicii  SiaU'S. 

In  IiIh  third  voyujijo  ho  diHcovored  tho  mainland  of  South 
America,  AngiiHt  1,  141)8.  A  fow  years  later,  tho  malico  of  his 
onemlos  siu'(;c(>dod  in  having  him  sent  in  chains  to  Spain.  Thus 
shackled  in  irons  were  "hands  that  tho  rod  of  empire  might 
have  swayed."  "I  shall  preserve  these  chains,"  said  the  immor- 
tal discoverer  of  America,  "as  memorials  of  tho  reward  of  uiy 
services." 

In  1502,  Columbus  sailed  on  his  fourth  and  last  voyage.  The 
astonishing  resources  of  his  genius  and  his  patience  in  suflVring 
were  never  more  heavily  taxed  tlian  in  this  expedition.  On  one 
occasion,  ho  was  wrecked  on  a  wild  and  barren  coast  with 
famine  staring  him  in  the  face.  It  was  only  by  predicting  an 
eclipse  that  he  compelled  the  treacherous  and  savage  natives  to 
supply  him  with  food,  thus  preser\'ing  himself  and  his  crews 
from  death  by  starvation.  After  countless  adventures,  and 
weighed  down  by  ago  and  infirmities,  ho  returned  to  Spain 
in  150-4. 

Tho  death  of  the  generous  Isabella  destroyed  his  last  hopes 
of  being  reinstated  in  his  dignities.  Ferdinand  treated  him 
with  shameful  ingratitude.  Tho  venerable  admiral  who  gave 
Spain  a  continent,  did  not  own  a  roof  in  Spain,  and  closed  his 
days  in  tho  shades  of  poverty  and  neglect  I  Feeling  his  end 
draw  near,  ho  made  his  will,*  turned  his  thoughts  to  Heaven, 
devoutly  received  tlio  last  sacraments,  and  died  about  the  ngo 
of  seventy,  on  the  20th  of  May,  1506,  as  ho  had  lived — a  saint 
and  hero.  His  last  words  were:  "Into  Thy  hands,  O  Lord, 
I  commend  my  spirit! " 

HIS  MANY  TOMBS. 

The  voyages  of  Columbus  did  not  en^T  with  death.  His  body 
was  first  deposited  in  tho  Franciscan  0«n'''ent  of  Valladolid, 
where  he  died.  On  his  tomb  was  placed  the  inscription:  "J. 
Cast n la  y  a  Leon  Nuevo  Mundo  dio  Colovt '" — to  Castile  and  Leon 
Columbus  gave  a  new  world.  His  remains  were  afterwards 
taken  to  the  Carthusian  Convent  of  Seville.  In  1536  they  were 
removed  to  Hispaniola,  and  interred  in  the  Cathedral  of  San 
Domingo.    Nor  were  they  allowed  to  rest  here.    In  1795  they 


*  This  will  is  a  remarkaljle  document,  clmracteristlc  of  its  author.  It  can 
be  found  in  Irvinjj's  Life  of  Columbus,  or  McCtee's  Catholic  History  of  America, 
Columbus  was  twice  married.  lie  left  two  sons — Diogo  and  Ferdinand,  tho 
latter  of  whom  wrote  liis  father's  life.  Some  time  before  Ids  death  tlie  great 
admiral  wrote  to  Dieijo  :  "Ten  brothers  would  not  be  too  many  for  you. 
jNcyer  have  I  found  a  better  friend,  to  right  or  to  left,  than  my  brotliftrs." 


r^W 


Biography. 


21 


woro  trannporto'l  with  great  ceremony  to  Havana,  Cuba.  As 
tlio  body  of  tl'o  discoverer  of  America  neariMl  tlio  city,  a 
splendid  proci-ssion  of  boats  went  out  to  coiiduct  it  from  tlio 
ship  to  tlio  shore.  "On  passing  tlie  vessels  of  war  in  tlio 
harbor,"  writes  Irving,  "tliey  all  paid  the  honors  duo  to  an 
admiral  and  captain-goneral  of  tli<^  navy."  Jlis  precious  ashes 
now  repose  in  a  beautiful  urn  y>n  the  right  side  of  the  grand 
altnr  of  the  Cathedral  of  Havana.  lieneath  a  life-size  bust  Is 
the  inscription  :  ''  Here  are  the  remains  and  imap;o  of  the  great 
Columbus.  This  monument  has  been  erected  by  our  nation  to 
his  memory." 

"It  is  hardly  possible,"  says  a  learned  traveller,  "to  avoid 
feeling  profoundly  interested  and  allected  on  lo  king  at  that 
spot,  that  little  spot,  where  the  ashes  of  the  mighty  man 
repose,  who  gave  the  world  of  the  wide  far  West  to  the  East  ; 
and  to  the  West,  Heaven;  for  he  bade  tho  great  star  of  the  East 
— the  star  of  holy  religion  and  blessed  Christianity — to  shed  its 
glorious  rays  on  that  benighted  West  I " 


llEMAUKS  ON  HI.S  APrEARANCK,    YmTlTES,    AND    THB   QUEATNElsS 

OF  HIS    ACniKVKMENTS. 

The  pcrsonol  apptoranceof  Columbus  was  suggestive  of  his 
greatness  of  soul.  Tall  in  stature,  there  was  a  romirkablo 
elegance  about  his  manly,  robust  llgure.  His  face  was  a  puro 
oval,  upon  which  nature  had  stamped  a  look  of  unusual  grace, 
streii'gth,  and  beauty.  The  noble  expanse  of  his  forehead  was 
indicative  of  his  grand  intellect.  His  bright  eyes  were  gray, 
strong,  and  keen.  His  nose  was  aquiline,  while  his  finely- 
chiseled  lips  expressed  tho  magnanimity  of  his  heart.  A  d  impled 
chin,  a  few  freckles,  a  ruddy  complexion,  and  hair  white  as 
snow  since  his  thirtieth  year — such  is  the  portrait  of  this  won- 
derful man,  left  us  by  his  contemi)oraries.  About  his  very  look 
there  was  an  air  of  nobility  and  authority  which  enforced 
respect.  J^Iis  natural  dignity  was  such,  that  though  a  poor 
wool-carder's  son,  he  could  appear  before  kings  and  grandees 
with  as  much  ease  and  grace  as  if  ho  had  been  born  in  a  palaco. 
In  the  words  of  Valdez,  "he  seemed  to  be  a  nobleman,  and 
one  born  to  command,  as  his  profile  and  countenance  very 
plainly  declared." 

The  virtues  of  Columbus  were  as  shining  as  they  worennmer- 
ous.  How  sublime  was  his  faith  !  All  his  great  enterprises  woro 
undertaken  in  the  name  of  the  Most  Holy  Trinity.  He  made  no 
discovery  without  raising  his  voice  and  his  heart  in  praise  and 


•yy 


Catholicity  hi  the   United  States. 


M 


%m 


'fll 


gratitude  to  Almighty  God.  For  him  the  star  of  hope — hoavoiiiy 
hope — never  set.  His  charity — it  "was  as  boundless  as  his  own 
great  soul.  In  his  lofty  mind,  God  and  Religion  held  the  first 
place,  and  all  else  came  after.  His  piety  was  as  genuine  as  it 
was  fervent.  Religion  mingled  with  the  whole  course  of  his 
thoughts  and  actions,  and  shone  forth  in  his  most  private  and 
unstudied  writings.  "The  voice  of  prayer,"  says  Irving,  ''and 
the  melody  of  praise  rose  from  his  ships  in  discovering  the  new 
world,  and  his  lirst  action  on  landing  was  to  prostrate  himself 
upon  the  earth  and  offer  up  thanksgivings.  Every  evening  tho 
^nlne  Regina  and  other  Vesper  hymns  were  chanted  by  his  crew, 
and  Masses  were  said  in  the  beautiful  groves  that  bordered  the 
wild  shores  of  this  heathen  land.  He  observed  the  festivals  of 
the  Church  in  the  wildest  situations.  Sunday  was  to  him  a  day 
of  sacred  rest,  in  which  he  would  never  sail  from  a  port,  unless 
in  case  of  extreme  necessity.  Tho  religion  thus  deeply  seated  in 
his  soul  diffused  a  sober  dignity  and  a  benign  composure  over 
his  whole  deportment  ;  his  very  language  was  pure  and  guarded, 
(Uid  free  from  all  gross  and  irreverent  expressions." 

How  shall  we  define  true  greatness  ?  By  what  standard  shall 
wo  judge  men,  so  as  to  be  able,  with  some  justice  and  precision, 
to  point  out  the  greatest  ?  It  may  be  safely  asserted  that  ho  is 
the  greatest  man  to  whom  the  world  is  most  indebted.  Measured 
by  his  achievements  and  their  results,  Columbus  perhaps  stands 
first  among  the  illustrious  men  of  all  time.  He  began  life  with 
only  one  of  the  advantages  which  confer  immortality — a  great 
soul.  His  parents,  his  social  position,  his  early  education — all 
were  humble.  If  his  knowledge  was  afterwards  profound*  it  was 
the  result  of  his  genius,  of  his  own  iron  efforts.  With  him  orig- 
inated the  conviction  that  the  Indies  could  be  reached  by  sail- 
ing westward.  Despite  great  obstacles,  he  impressed  the  truth 
of  his  opinion  upon  others.  His  poverty  made  a  rich  patron  essen- 
tial to  the  carrying  out  of  his  vast  project.  Yet,  witli  unheard- 
of  oner;  "  and  perseverance,  he  labored  nearly  a  quarter  of  a 
century  eforo  he  could  obtain  even  a  successful  hearing.  His 
hair  was  white  at  thirty  from  deep  reflection  on  tho  subject  of 
his  discovery.  He  was  fifty-seven  when  ho  planted  the  cross  on 
the  shores  of  San  Salvador.  Nothing  could  conquer  his  daunt- 
less spirit. 

He  far  surpasses  all  others  us  a  discoverer.  Newton  discovered 
the  laws  of  gravitation  ;  Ilerschel  a  planet  ;  Marquette  a  river  ; 
Kane,  a  polar  sea  ;  Tyndall,  something  new  about  light  ;  but 

*  Tho  lUnstrlons  adniiiMl  was  not  only  faniill  r  with  t;-pnj^rai)hy,  aptroiKiiny, 
iiiwiKation,  and  kiiidnnl  studios,  hut  liin  letters  show  th;it  lio  was  woll  ivad  lu 
tho  floly  Scrlpluros,  fathers  of  tlio  (Miiiroli.  and  otlicr  t;reut  W()rli.!i. 


Biography. 


23 


but 


wliat  are  all  these  compared  to  that  greatest  of  achievements  — 
the  discovery  of  America — a  discovery  which  doubled  tlio  size  of 
the  world's  map  ! 

Whom  shall  we  name  braver  than  the  great  Columbus  ?  Ills 
victory  stands  alone  in  history.  For  years  he  grandly  bore  up 
against  delay,  poverty,  contempt  ;  and,  finally,  battling  with 
man  and  tempest,  he  triumphed  ever  the  terrors  of  the  vast  and 
mysterious  Atlantic  !  His  magnanimity  of  soul,  his  sTiblimo 
eouraga,  never  deserted  him.  His  noble  forbearance,  in  the 
Avrongsand  injuries  heaped  upon  his  declining  years,  displays  a 
character  of  amazing  beauty  and  grandeur.  With  Christian  hope 
and  resignation  he  cheered  the  darkest  hours  of  life. 

But  it  was  religion  above  all  that  crowned  the  lofty  integrity 
of  his  character.  A  Catholic  of  Catholics,  if  he  wished  to  open 
the  way  to  unknown  lands,  and  to  raise  large  sums  of  money,  it 
was  not  through  any  motive  of  grasping  selfishness.  Before  St. 
Ignatius  adopted  the  motto.  Ad  mctJoretaDei  Glorinm,  Columbus 
put  it  in  practice !  To  carry  the  light  of  the  Gospel  to  the  heathen, 
to  rescue  the  Holy  Sepulchre  from  the  hands  of  the  infidel  Turk 
— such  were  the  lofty  motives  that  guided  his  life's  labors.  Nor 
was  he  simply  a  great  mariner,  or  a  virtuous  hero.  Though  a 
layman,  he  was  one  of  the  greatest  of  missionaries.  His  discovery 
opened  Heaven  to  millions  of  souls.  The  great  admiral  rivals 
the  most  illustrious  of  the  saints  in  being  the  means  of  unlock- 
ing tlie  portals  of  Paradise  to  countless  multitudes. 

Compared  with  this  Christian  hero,  what  are  Alexander,  Na- 
poleon, Cajsar,  or  Hannibal  ?  What  does  the  world  owe  them  ? 
For  what  are  we  indebted  to  them  '{  How  different  from  tho 
inunortal  Columbus  !  Toiiim,  science  and  commerce  owe  more 
than  to  any  one  man.  America  reveres  him  as  lier  discoverer. 
Catholicity  recognizes  in  him  one  of  her  greatest  and  holiest 
sons.  In  short,  viewing  his  unparalleled  achievements  and  their 
results,  the  whole  earth  and  even  Heaven  are  his  debtors.  His 
character  transcends  i^raise  as  his  achievements  baflie  descrip- 
tion. In  truth,  as  there  is  but  one  America  on  the  map  of  tho 
world,  so  there  is  but  one  Columbus  among  the  sons  of  men. 

Wo  tread  this  soil  with  more  finnness,  when  we  remember 
lliat  it  was  this  Heaven-inspired  mariner,  who  loved  and  prac- 
ticed our  own  glorious  faith,  that  first  touched  this  continent, 
and  firmly  planted  the  cross  on  its  virgin  shores. 

"  Our  Fathers'  iinci<-iit  Faith, 
Our  Fathors'  ancient  way. 
Wo  hold,  nor  turn  to  woriuliip  yet 
At  shrii'.e:*  of  yesterday.''* 

"  Fur  Bonie  remarks  on  tlio  bio)Lrra|ihcrs,  writings,  and  probable  cnnoniza- 
liun  of  Coluiulnis,  sec;  note  A,  a]>i)en(lis;. 


rTTTT 


ROBERT  CAVELIER,  SIEUR  DE  LA  SALLE,* 

The  Qreat  Exxtlorei'  of  the  Mississippi  Valley. 

"  How  shall  Ave  rank  thoc  upon  glory's  pajc  ? 
Thou  more  thau  soldier,  and  not  lcs«  than  ea,i;c  !" 


f 
li  i 


i 


M    i 


mI  \v 


Robert  Cavelier,  more  commonly  known  us  La  Salle,  was 
the  most  illustrious  explorer  of  our  country.  Of  a  liif?hly  re- 
spectable family,  he  was  born  in  the  city  of  Rouen,  France, 
about  the  year  1635.  It  is  said  that  in  early  youth  he  entered 
the  Society  of  Jesus,  in  which  he  remained  for  several  years, 
studying  and  teachin^r.  He  had  a  great  love  for  the  exact 
sciences,  especially  mathematics,  in  which  he  was  remarkably 
proficient.  La  8alk?  left  the  seminary  of  the  Jesuits,  carrying 
with  him  the  highest  testimonials  of  his  superiors  for  purity  of 
character  and  exhaustless  energy.  However,  on  account  of 
having  entered  the  religious  state,  ho  was,  by  an  unjust  pro- 
vision of  the  French  law,  depriv^od  of  his  fortune. 

He  at  once  commenced  a  new  career,  and  sailed  for  Canada  in 
the  spring  of  16(50.  From  the  Sulpitians  he  obtained  the  grant 
of  a  large  tract  of  land,  ne.ar  Montreal,  at  a  place  which  he  named 
La  Chine. \  Commencing  the  study  of  the  native  langu.ages,  his 
great  abilities  enabled  him,  in  two  or  three  years,  to  nmster  Iro- 
quois, Algonquin,   and  live  or  six  other  Indian  dialects. 

In  the  winter  of  1670,  La  Salle  organized  an  expedition  which 
included  some  Sulpitianjn-iests.andproceededtowards  the  south- 
west. Our  accounts  of  it  are  somewhat  vague.  However,  he 
discovered  the  Ohio,  which  he  sailed  down  as  far  as  tiie  present 
site  of  Louisville.  J  His  men  leaving  him,  he  roturnod  alone  to 
Canada. 

We  next  find  him  commander  of  the  newly  established  Fort 
Frontenac — now  Kingston.  He  held  this  position  when  the 
tidings  of  Marquette's  discovery  of  the  Mississippi  reached  him. 


*  Thon;;h,  flironoldfrically  ^peakingr,  tlu:<(^kelcli  of  LaSallo,  \y]io  liveil  in  the 
seven tc'fiitli  century,  belongs  to  acliapter  farther  on,  still  we  eonsider  Ihin  tlio. 
more  apimiprlaie  plaeo  for  its  insertion.  If  Columbus  was  the  tliseoverer  of 
America,  La  Salic  was  its  ji'reatest  explorer.    Let  their  lives  be  tosretlier. 

t  It  is  now  a  large  village,  ami  still  retains  the  suggest  ive  name  giv(;n  it  by 
Its  founder. 

X  Parknian.     "Discovery  of  the  Great  West." 

(24) 


iiii 


Jji^igraphy, 


25 


I 


This  was  a  new  idea.  Tlie  peiietratint,'  mind  of  La  Salle  at  once 
identified  "  tlio  great  river  of  Manjnetto  with  the  great  river  of 
De  Soto."  His  .sclienies  of  exploration  received  a  fresh  impulse. 
"A  Catholic  missionary,"  says  Dr.  Clarke,  "  had  gloriously  led 
the  way  ;  a  Catholic  nobleman  no  less  gloriously  advanced  to 
complete  the  work." 

Tliree  thoughts,  rapidly  developing  in  his  mind,  were  master- 
ing La  Salle,  and  engendering  an  invincible  purpose  :  (I.)  He 
would  achieve  that  which  Champlain  vainly  attempted,  and  of 
which  our  own  generation  has  but  seen  the  accomplishment— 
the  opening  of  a  passage  to  India  and  China  across  the  American 
Continent.  (2.)  He  would  occupy  the  Great  West,  develop  its 
commercial  resources,  and  anticipate  the  Spaniards  and  English 
in  the  possession  of  it.  (3.)  For  he  soon  became  convinced  that 
the  Mississippi  discharged  itself  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico — he 
would  establish  a  fortified  post  at  its  mouth,  thus  securing  an 
outlet  for  the  trade  of  the  interior,  checking  the  progress  of  the 
Spaniards,  and  forming  a  base  whence  in  time  of  war  their  north- 
ern provinces  could  be  invaded  and  conquered.*  Such  were  the 
great  projects  conceived  and  nursed  in  the  fertile  brain  of  this 
heroic,  but  penniless  young  Frenchman  ! 

The  better  to  carry  out  his  vast  enterprises,  La  Salle  returned 
to  France  in  1G75,  obtained  from  Louis  XIV.  a  grant  of  Fort 
Frontenac,  a  monoply  of  ihe  lake  trade,  and  a  patent  of  nobility. 
He  then  sailed  for  Canada.  Some  time  after,  he  again  returned 
to  his  native  country,  and  received  a  commission  to  continue 
the  exploration  of  the  "  great  river."  As  his  lieutenant,  he  chose 
Tonti,  an  Italian  veeran,  whose  "  energy  and  address  made  him 
equal  to  anything." t  He  also  enlisted  tliirfy  mechanics  and 
mariners  for  the  expedition,  whicli  was  accompanied  by  several 
Franciscan  Fathers. 

In  1G78,  he  reached  Foit  Frontenac  for  a  third  time  ;  and  at 
once  dispatched  Tonti  and  a  number  of  his  men  to  build  a  ship 
at  the  head  of  the  IS'iagara  River,  on  Lake  Erie.  La  Salle  him- 
self immediately  followed.  The  vessel,  which  carricul  about  forty- 
live  tons,  was  soon  finished,  and  named  the  "  Griffin,"  in  honor 
<it'  the  arms  of  the  Count  de  Frontenac,  Governor  of  Canada.]: 
K)\\  August  7th,  1079,  she  was  launched  with  great  ceremony, 

*  I'arkmaii. 

t  La  Salle's  letter  to  the  Prince  of  Coude. 

J  The  "Griilln"  was  built  on  the  New  York  side,  on  what  is  now  called 
Cayu^'ii  Croek,  six  miles  above  tho  irr'^at  cataract.  Some  writers  say  she  car- 
ried CD  tons  ;  but  tiie  earliest  and  nioKt  reliable  authorities  put  it  down  at  45, 
us  given  above.    8ec  Parknian's  "Diseovcrj  of  the  Great  West." 


I^i    ,!#«' 


:im'  ' 


26 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


amid  the  admiring  crowd  of  Indians  who  gathered  around  the 
French,  Tliis  was  tlio  first  vessel  lieavier  than  a  canoe  that 
ever  cut  the  sparkling  waters  of  the  great  American  lakes.  Amid 
tlie  sounds  of  many  voices,  chanthig  the  Te  Deum,  tlie  good  sliip 
loft  her  moorings  ;  rode  the  waves  of  Erie  ;  passed  to  the  north 
through  a  little  lake,  which  La  Salle  called  St.  Clair,  in  honor 
of  the  holy  virgin  of  that  name  ;  sped  over  Huron  and  a  portion 
of  Michigan  ;  was  nearly  lost  in  a  violent  storm,  and  finally  landed 
in  Green  Bay,  on  the  2d  of  September.  Many  of  the  brave  La 
Salle's  previous  plans  having  failed,  ho  now  found  himself  deeply 
in  debt  ;  and  to  satisfy  his  creditors  he  loaded  the  "Griffin'' 
with  a  cargo  of  rich  furs  and  sent  her  back. 

La  Salle  and  his  men  now  directed  their  course  towards  the 
south.  On  reaching  Lake  Peoria,  on  the  Illinois  River,  he  began 
the  construction  of  a  fort,  which  he  called  CveVje  Coeur  (Broken 
Heart),  on  account  of  the  unhappy  news  which  here  reached 
him.  The  "Griffin"  had  perished  in  the  waters  of  Michigan  ! 
His  supplies  were  exhausted.  He  depended  on  the  return  of  his 
vessel  for  more.  Far  from  discouraged  by  the  frowns  of  fortune, 
the  indomitable  commander  with  fearless  energy,  set  out  on 
foot  through  the  wilderness  for  Fort  Frontenac — a  distance  of 
over  1,200  miles.     He  reached  it  only  to  learn  of  fresh  disasters. 

While  he  was  gone,  Father  Hennepin,  O.S.F.,  by  his  orders, 
left  Cre'oe  Coeur,  and  explored  the  upper  Mississippi  as  far  as  the 
Falls  of  St.  Anthony,  a  name  given  it  by  the  Franciscan,  in 
honor  of  the  famous  St.  Anthony,  of  Pad.ia. 

Ever  "up  and  doing,  with  a  heart  for  any  fate,"  La  Salle,  in 
a  canoe,  again  set  out  for  Fort  Creve  Coeur,  which  he  reached 
and  found  abandoned  by  Tonti  and  his  men.  Setting  out  in 
search  of  his  lieutenant,  he  found  him  at  Mackinaw,  whither 
want  had  driven  the  whole  party.  Their  canoes  were  once  more 
directed  to  Fort  Frontenac.  Here  vigorous  preparations  were 
resumed  to  begin  the  expedition  anew. 

Winter  had  scarcely  relaxed  his  icy  clasp  on  the  great  rivers 
of  the  West  when  the  indefatigable  explorer,  with  a  few  Fran- 
ciscan priests,  twenty-three  Frenchmen,  and  eighteen  Indians — 
all  inured  to  war — directed  their  course  towards  the  Mississippi. 
Floating  down  the  lUiuois  River,  they  reached  the  "  Father  of 
Waters  "  in  February,  168"3.  Without  delay,  they  began  the  do- 
scent  of  the  mighty  stream.  As  they  pressed  on,  they  frequently 
came  in  contact  with  the  Indians,  whom  La  Salle  won  by  his 
eloquence  and  engaging  manners.  We  are  told  that  after  the 
Indian  mode,  he  was  "  the  greatest  orator  in  North  America." 


i 


ill  ill, 


Biography. 


27 


und  the 
loe  that 
3.  Amid 
ood  ship 

10  north 

11  honor 
portion 

y  landed 
)rave  La 
f  deeply 
Griffin  " 

ards  the 
10  began 
(Broken 
reached 
cliigan  ! 
m  of  his 
fortune, 
;  out  on 
tance  of 
Isasters. 
5  orders, 
ir  as  the 
scan,  in 

~>alle,  in 
reached 
g  out  in 
whither 
ice  more 
ns  were 

at  rivers 
w  Fran- 
idians — 
sissinoi. 
'at her  of 
1  the  do- 
;quently 
1  by  his 
ifter  the 
[norica.'' 


%1 


The  missionaries  also  announced  the  words  of  truth  to  the  sav- 
ages. "As  the  great  explorer  pursued  his  course  down  tlio 
^Mississippi,"  writes  Bancroft,  "  his  sagacious  eye  discerned  the 
luagnitlcont  resources  of  the  country,"  At  every  point  where 
they  landed.  La  Salle  planted  a  cross,  for,  says  Parkmaii,  ho. 
"was  most  zealous  for  the  Faith."  Finally  the  mouth  of  the 
great  river  was  reached,  and  they  beheld  — 

"  The  sea  !  the  sea !  the  open  sea. 
The  blue,  the  frosh,  the  ever  free." 

On  the  9th  of  April,  La  Salle  took  possession  of  the  country 
in  the  name  of  Louis  XIV.  For  this  purpose  he  had  a  cross 
erected,  while  the  whole  party  chanted  the  grand  hymn  of  the 
Vexilhi  Regis : 

"The  banners  of  Heaven's  Kinfj  advance, 
The  mystery  of  the  cross  shuies  forth." 

The  ceremony  was  finished  with  the  Te  Deum,  and  the  raising 
of  a  column  with  the  following  inscription  :  "  Louis  the  Great, 
King  of  France  and  Navarre,  reigns  ;  the  9th  of  April,  1682.'' 
Then,  "amid  a  volley  from  all  our  muskets,"  writes  Father 
Membre,  "a  leaden  plate  inscribed  with  the  arms  of  France  and 
the  names  of  those  who  had  just  made  the  discovery,  was  de- 
posited in  the  earth." 

By  liis  energy  and  enterprise  La  Salle  had  now  explored  fiom 
the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  In  honor  of  his 
sovereign  ho  named  all  the  territory  along  the  great  river,  Louisi- 
ana— a  name,  at  present,  restricted  to  one  State. 

Turning,  he  ascended  the  Mississippi  and  sailed  for  France,  in 
order  to  secure  the  assistance  of  Louis  XIV.  and  the  co-opera- 
tion of  his  countrymen  in  colonizing  the  great  valley,  and  in  de- 
veloping its  immense  natural  resources.  Success  seemed  to 
smile  on  his  plans.  The  government  provided  him  with  four 
ships,  and  a  large  number  of  persons  were  soon  enlisted  in  his 
scheme.  In  July,  1684,  he  bade  adieu  for  the  last  time  to  the 
shores  of  Sunny  France;  and  with  his  ships  and  280  persons,  in- 
cluding three  Franciscan  Fathers  and  three  secular  priests,  well 
supplied  with  all  tlie  necessaries  to  plnnt  a  colony  at  the  mouth 
of  the  ^ri^iji.v.sippi,  he  directed  his  course  noross  the  Atlantic. 
But  the  entrance  of  the  "great  river"  was  hard  to  lind.  La 
Salle  mi-sed  it,  went  westward,  and  early  in  168.")  landed  his 
colony  at  Matagorda  Bay,  in  Texas,  wliere  he  built  Fort  St.  Louis. 
In  the  choice  of  his  men,  he  soon  found  that  he  had  made  an 


I 


iiii 


ti  IP 


iim 


ii 

■  ii'::i 

11 

!i:^-' 

l!l;^':^ 

>,;' 

f 

•rl 

;l| 

ilP 

ililli 

28 


Catholicify  in  tJic   United  States. 


unhappy  mistake,  Thoy  wore  largely  composed  of  vagabonds 
picked  iij)  on  the  streets  of  lloclielle,  and  their  conduct  was  in 
keeping  with  their  chara(;ter,  as  events  unfortunately  proved. 

After  several  vain  attempts  to  reach  the  mouth  of  the  Missis- 
Ki')pi  by  sea,  La  Salle  resolved  to  strike  out  for  it  by  land.  Father 
Doiiay,  O.S.F.,  his  chaplain,  has  left  us  a  minute  account  of  their 
adventurous  course  over  plains,  forests,  rocks,  and  rivers.  After 
six  months'  fruitless  ^vanderings  they  were  obliged  to  return  to 
Fort  St.  Louis.  Hero  La  Salle  heard  that  his  last  vessel  was 
wrecked,  "With  the  giant  energy  of  an  indomitable  will," 
writes  Bancroft,  "having  lost  his  hopes  of  fortune,  his  hopes  of 
fame,  he  resolved  to  travel  on  foot  to  his  countrymen  at  the 
North,  and  return  from  Canada  to  renew  his  colony  in  Texas." 

Accompanied  by  a  few  priests  and  twenty  men,  he  set  out  on 
this  iiumenso  journey  early  in  1687,  For  nearly  two  months  and 
a  half  the  travoUe'  '  ily  forced  their  way,  despite  the  hard- 
ships to  be  endurcvi  -  I  wintry  climate,  despite  the  countless 
obstacles  offered  by  a  bavage  country,  13ut  mutiny  began  to 
manifest  itself.  S  .iro  of  th-j  party  nursed  dark  designs.  "  Wo 
proceeded  some  steps,'  ritv  j  lather  Douay,  "along  the  bank 
(of  a  river*)  to  the  fatal  spot  where  two  of  the  murderers  were 
hidden  in  the  grass,  one  on  each  side,  with  guns  cocked.  One 
missed  M,  do  La  Salle  ;  the  other  tiring  at  the  same  time,  shot 
him  in  the  head.  He  died  an  hour  after,  on  the  19th  of  March, 
1087,  He  had  confessed  and  fulfilled  all  his  devotions  just  be- 
fore we  started  that  day.  *  *  *  During  his  last  moments  ho 
elicited  all  the  acts  of  a  good  Christian.  *  *  ^  Thus  died  our 
wise  commander,  constant  in  adversity,  intrepid,  generous, 
skillful,  capable  of  everything. ''f 

"He  was,"  says  his  lieutenant,  Tonti,  "one  of  the  greatest 
men  of  this  age."  All  writers  bear  testimony  to  the  Roman  vir- 
tues and  sterling  worth  of  this  renowned  Catholic  explorer, 
whose  firmness  and  courage  were  only  equalled  by  his  groat 
knoA'ledge  of  the  arts  and  sciences.  La  Salle's  mind,  says  an 
able  author,  rose  immeasurably  above  the  range  of  the  mere 
commercial  speculator.  It  does  not  appear  that  his  personal 
integrity  ever  found  a  challenge.  His  schemes  failed  i)artly  be- 
cause they  were  too  vast,  and  pai'tly  because  he  did  not  concili- 
ate the  good-will  of  those  whom  ho  was  compelled  to  trust.  In 
the  pursuit  of  his  purpose,  ho  spared  no  man,  and  least  of  all 
himself.     He  bore  the  brunt  of  every  danger  and  every  hardship. 


*  A  eoutlicrn  branch  of  the  Trinity,  Texaa. 
t  Narrative  of  Father  Douay. 


£51 


Biography. 


29 


Hfi  was  a  tower  of  mlamant,  against  whoso  impenetrable  front, 
hardships  and  danger,  the  rage  of  man  and  of  the  elements,  the 
Southern  sun,  the  Northern  blast,  fatigue,  famine,  disease,  de- 
lay, disappointment,  and  deferred  hope  emptied  their  (piivers 
in  vain.  Never  under  the  mail  of  Paladin  or  Crusader  beat  a 
h(  Jirt  more  intrepid  than  that  of  La  Salle.  To  estimate  aright 
the  marvels  of  his  patient  fortitude  wo  must  follow  in  his  track, 
the  vast  seene  of  his  endless  journeys — those  thousands  of  weary 
mil<  s  of  forest,  marsh,  and  river,  wliere.  again  and  again,  in  the 
bitterness  of  balHed  striving,  the  untired  pilgrim  pushed  onward 
towards  the  goal  which  ho  was  never  to  reach.  America  owes 
him  an  enduring  memory  ;  for  in  this  masculine  figure  cast  in 
iron,  she  sees  the  heroic  pioneer  who  guided  her  to  the  posses- 
sions of  lier  richest  heritage.  * 

'•  He  lias,''  writes  the  eminent  Sparks,  "been  called  the  Colum- 
bus of  his  age  ;  and  if  his  success  had  been  equal  to  his  ability 
and  the  compass  of  his  plans,  this  distinction  might  justly  bo 
awarded  to  him.  '•'  *  '^  lie  bore  the  burden  of  his  calanuties 
manfully  to  the  end,  and  his  hopes  expired  only  with  his  last 
breath." 


*  "Discovery  of  the  Great  West." 

"The  Mississippi  valley,"  says  Dr.  Foster,  "is  now  the  abode  of  12,000,000 
of  people." 


I*/'     ;(' 


M 


liii 

1 

:!ii 

\          i 

.  ii       ! 

:!|  !   ! 

li 

H  liifiH 

I 

I,;-; 

i 

in 

t 

e-i! 

!' 

K;!S 

.ii; 

!■;; 

; 

^1 


j 

:"i.l! 

':;^-;' 

! 

|. 

I    l| 


CHAPTER  I. 

.    THE    INDIANS    AND    THEIll   APOSTLES. 

"  Lo,  the  poor  Indian  I  whose  untutored  mind 
Sees  God  in  clouds,  or  hears  Illm  In  the  wind."— Popb. 

THE  WILD  SCENES  OF  FOUR  CENTURIES  AGO— THE  INDIANS — THE  VARI- 
OUS TRIBES,  LANGU.NGES,  AND  CUSTOMS— THE  LORD'S  PRAYER  IN 
FOUR  INDIAN  LANGUAGES — HOW  THEY  MADE  WAR  AND  HUILT 
FORTRESSES— INDIAN  GOVERNMENT  AND  RELIGION — THE  APOSTLES 
OF  THE  INDIANS— HOW  THE  SPANIARDS  ESTABLISHED  THEIR  MIS- 
glONS— THE  ENr.T.ISH— THE  FRENCH — HOW  THE  FRENCH  JESUITS 
LIVED — MISSIONARY  DIFFICULTIES  AND  HEROISM— WINTER  TRIALS 
OP  THE  BLACKROBE— MAGIC — THE  SHADOWS  OF  INDIAN  LIFE — THE 
PRIESTS  SUSPECTED  OF  BEING  CONJURORS — ODDITY  OF  THE  INDIAN 
MIND — CHARACTER   OF   THE   RED  MEN   AND  THEIR  APOSTLES. 


THE   INDIANS. 

At  the  beginning  of  tlie  sixteenth  century,  the  vast  terri- 
tory which  we  now  call  the  United  States  was  a  wilderness, 
lying  almost  untouched  by  aught  save  the  hand  of  nature. 
On  the  savage  scene  Christianity  and  civilization  had  yet  to 
smile.  A  thinly-scattered  and  uncultivated  race  was  the 
only  population.  They  were  called  Indians.  As  a  bra\^e, 
but  unfortunate  people,  they  coininand  our  warm  sympathy. 
"  The  winds  of  the  Atlantic,''  says  Story,  "  fan  not  a  single 
region  thoy  may  call  their  own."  Sadly  true.  They  have 
perished.  Their  memory  alone  remains.  Before  the  steel 
uikI  hatred  of  the  pale-faces  they  faded  as  the  snow  melts 
away  before  the  rays  of  the  vernal  sun.  Catholicity  was 
their  only  fond  protector,  the  lilachgown*  their  only  true 
friend.    England  came,  Puritanism  came,  and  the  Indian  dis- 


*  Tho  Indian  name  for  Catholic  missionaries,  more  especially 
the  Jesuit  Fathers. 

(30 


32 


Catholicity  in  the   United  States. 


appeared  from  our  Eastern  slioi-cs.  He  Avas  liu.ited  down 
without  pity,  destroyed  without  remorse.*  Towards  the 
{^citing  sun,  away  in  tlie  far  West,  the  red  man  yet  lingers — 
an  object  of  oppression  and  misrule. 


IHIISi 


M-: 


;i:'ll| 


■Mi: 


IJ 


INDIAN    GLIMPSES. 

Every  Anieriean,  every  (.\atliolic  must  feel  an  interest  in 
the  historic  peo])]e  for  which  Jogues,  IJrebeuf,  Lallemant, 
Rale,  Menard,  Padilla,  Juarez,  Mar([uette,  and  scores  of  other 
saintly  and  lieroic  missionaries  lal)orcd  and  laid  down  their 
lives.  Two  hundred  and  iifty  years  ago,  the  great  cityf  in 
which  these  lines  were  written,  was  the  hunting  grounds 
of  the  Cauarsie.  Here  red  chieftains  ruled  and  warrior 
braves  fought  and  hunted.  Manhattan  Island,  on  which 
stands  the  greatest  of  our  cities,  was  purchased  from  an 
Indian  chief  for  twenty -four  dollars !  Then,  "  the  smoke  of 
their  wigwams  aiid  the  fires  of  their  councils  rose  in  every 
valley  from  Hudson  Bay  to  the  farthest  Florida,  from  the 
ocean  to  the  ]\Iississippi  and  the  lakes.  The  shouts  of  vic- 
tory and  the  war  dance  rang  through  the  mountains  and  the 
glades.  The  thick  arrows  and  the  deadly  tomahawk  whis- 
tled through  the  forests.  The  warriors  stood  forth  in  their 
glory.  Mothers  played  with  their  infants  and  gazed  on  the 
scene  with  warm  hopes  of  the  future.  The  aged  sat  down  ; 
but  they  wept  not.  They  would  soon  be  at  I'est  in  fairer 
regions,  where  the  Great  Spirit  dwelt,  in  a  home  prepared 
for  the  brave  beyond  the  Western  skies."  \ 

THE    nilNCTPAL    TRIBES    IN    THE   UNITED  STATES. 

The  Indian  tribes  that  once  ruled  over  the  present  limits 
of  our  country  are  generally  grouped  under  eight  families, 

*  See  "  Tlie  AhnaM  and  Their  History,^''  by  Rev.  Eugene  Vetro- 
mile,  D.D. ;  Dr.  J.  G.  Shea's  ^'  History  nf  the  Catholic  Missions'\; 
Appleton's  ''American  Cycloparlia,''  last  edition;  Spalding's 
J/<.sw7/flWi?n'. ;  and  Bancroft's  History  of  the  United  States. 

t  Brooklyn,  L.  T.        \  Stoiy. 


The  Indians  and  their  Apostles. 


33 


8pcal<in<i:  (lifTLM-ent  langiingos.  Tlio  five  most  prominent  of 
these  were  tlie  Ahjonqnins,  tlie  Iwqfoio,^''  tlie  //in'ons,  the 
Chcrohis^  and  tlie  MohUnnhs.  The  Algontjuin  nati(»n 
occupied  a  lai'^i^er  territory  than  any  other  eiist  of  tlic 
]Mi.ssis.sipi)i.  It  extended  t^outhward  from  Hudson  Bay, 
heyond  the  Cheoapeake  anil  the  moutli  of  the  Ohio,  and 
from  the  Mississippi  to  the  Ytlantic.  Of  the  Algon(piin 
trihes  the  A])nakis  of  Maine  are  tlie  most  famous.  Tlie 
JMohilian  family  ruled  over  nearly  all  the  territory  cast  of 
the  Mississippi,  from  the  southern  houndrry  of  the  Ali^on- 
(juins  to  the  (iiilf  of  Mexico.  In  the  midst  of  the  Algon- 
(piiiis — like  islands  in  a  sea — were  several  other  distinct 
trihes.  Tlie  j)()werful  and  war-like  Iroquois  inhahited  all 
central  New  York,  from  the  Mohawk  to  the  (letiesee.  This 
famous  Indian  confederation  consisted  of  iive  nations — the 
Mohawks,  Oneidas,  Oiiondagas,  Cayngas,  and  Senecas.  These 
were  the  terror  of  other  tribes,  and  wxre  even  feared  and 
courted  by  the  colonists  of  France  and  England.  They 
"had  a  discipline  suited  to  the  dark  and  tangled  forests 
M'here  they  fought.  Here  they  were  a  terrible  foe."  The 
Iroquois  warrior  ''  was  the  Indian  of  Indians.''f 

The  territory  of  the  Hnrons  embraced  a  large  portion  of 
the  States  bordering  on  the  southern  shores  of  Lake  Erie, 
together  with  the  Canadian  province  of  Ontario.  The  Hu- 
rons  and  Iroquois  belonged  to  the  same  stock.:};  In  the 
heart  of  the  Mobilians,  along  the  highlands  of  Alabama, 
Georgia,  and  Carolina,  were  the  Cherokees,  a  tribe  of  Indian 
mountaineers.  Thus  tw^o  great  Indian  families — the  Algon- 
qiiins  and  Mobilians — encircling  several  other  tribes,  ex- 
tended over  all  the  territory  east  of  the  Mississippi,  from 
Hudson  Bay  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  Inhabiting  the  vast 
country  west  of  the  Mississippi,  was  the  wide-spread 
family  of  the  Dacotah,  or  Sioux,  of  whom  nothing  was 
known  in  those  early  days,  and  al)out  wdiose  language  and 
histoiy  little  is  known  even  to-day. 


*  Pronounced  Ir— o — kwah 
1  Parknian.     |  Shoa. 


The  s  is  not  sounded. 


34 


CatJiolicity  in  the  United  S'uics. 


\\\ 


iMi:i 


:     ff 


I 


•1))^ 


i   :,: 


THE    CIIirF    INDIAX    I-ANfirAGES. 

Tlio  Tixlian  laiijujiuii^a'S  most  widely  (Hffiiscd  ■were  those 
Bpoken  by  tlieij^reat  tribe.s  already  luentioned.  Xearlyall  had 
quite  limited  voeahularies.*  The  northern  diaieets  were 
cxeeediiigly  harsh  and  guttural.  Fn  the  Algonquui  tongue 
— the  ni(  st  extensively  npoken  of  them  all — the  words  had 
few  vowels,  and  were  "  often  of  intolerable  lenij^th,  occa- 
sioned by  complicated  grammatical  forms — a  whole  sentence 
by  means  of  suffixes  and  atiixes,  being  often  ex})re8Hed  in  a 
sinfirle  word."t  This  was  a  marked  characteristic  of  nearly 
<all  the  Indian  dialects.  The  Wt/anr/ot  language,  spoken  by 
the  llnrons  and  Iroquois,  was  more  sonorous  than  the 
Al(j07}quin.  The  MohlUan  included  the  kindred  dialects  of 
the  (/hoctaws,  Chickasaws,  ('reeks,  Seminoles,  Yazoos,  and 
others.  "  (^ompared  with  the  northern  languages,  the  Cher- 
okee and  Mohilian  are  soft  and  musical,  thus  indicatini;  the 
long-continued  influence  of  a  southern  climate. ":{: 

As  specimens  of  the  languages  once  s])oken  on  the  banks 
of  the  Kennebec,  on  the  shores  of  the  Atlantic  and  the 
(ircat  Lakes,  and  on  the  Pacific  coast,  may  prove  both  curi- 
ous and  interesting  to  the  American  reader  of  to-day,  a  few 
are  here  given.  They  consist  of  the  Lord's  Prayer  trans- 
lated into  the  various  dialects  mentioned  below.  For  these 
lini^uistic  curiosities  we  are  indebted  to  the  leaniinf?  of 
Catholic  missionaries  —  the  only  Avhite  men  who  ever 
thoroughly  mastered  the  Iiulian  tongues. 

1.  The  Lord's  Prayer^  in  the  Ahnal'l  dialect,  the  most 
ancient  of  the  Algoncjuin  family  of  languages,  is  as  follows  : 

"  Kemitank'iona  spouikik  nyan  waiwaielmogvuitch  ayiliwisian 
auiantai  paitriwai  witawaikai  ketopelta  niohanganock  aylikitan- 
kon:  k  ketolailtamohangan  spomkik  tali  yo  nanipikik  paitchi 
kik  tankouataitche  inamilinai  yo  paimi  gliisgak  daitaskiskouai 
aiponniena  yopa  katchi  anaihail  tania  wihaikai  kaissikakan 
wihiolaikaipan  aliniona  kisi  anihailtamakokaik  kaikauwia  kai- 

*  "It  is  worth  noticing,''  says  a  learned  writer,  "that the  In- 
dian  languages  have  no  word  or  expression  to  curse  or  swear. 
When  the  Indians  curse  they  do  it  in  English." 

tHildreth.  f  Ibid. 


The  Indians  and  I  heir  ^l pasties. 


35 


tnipftnlk  mosakkaita  lichi  klt'iwlkalk  tauipamoliontclil  Ha^lii- 
hoiMMU'iiiinainai  on  lalianiistakai  sa;,'hihousouamiiuii  luamait- 
chikill,  Niafcst." 

2.  The  ?aiue  in  the  Thirnv,  or  Wt/andof  lanp^uage: 

"Onaistan  d(!  aronliiaC'  istari*'.  Sason  trhondachiondator^) 
fincliii'iidaonan.  Out  aioton  wa  choonaiidiosta  ondindr'.  Ont 
•M()tt)ii  s«'nclii»'i»  sarasta  olioliont  soono  achr  toti  ioti  Aronhiaono. 
.iKiiiidatiiia  s<'n  iioin'iida  tara  clia  ccantato  aoiiantohan.  Onta 
taciiiaiidioiirhciis,  .son  alonarrihollaudomcfx',  to  cliicnno  ioti- 
nendi  onsa  onondionrlionHdo  oua.  ()nl\irrihonaiide/iii.  Pinon 
cIk-  (diana  alakhioniudushas  d'on(Niota.     Ca  sonti  ioti." 

',].  The  same  in  one  of  the  cliief  dialects  of  the  California 

Indians: 

"Cliana  cell  tiipana  avo  onoch,  otuiio  a  cnacliin,  chamo  cm 
reino  libi  yb  chosonoc  esna  tupana  cliani  nochotopo,  iiiicato  toni 
cha  ehaotii,  pepsuin  yg  car  rayehamo  y  i  Julngcalnio  cai  ecdi. 
Dopiipnn  opco  chaiuo  chuiu  oyoto.     Amen." 

4.  The  same  in  the  ])resent  languauje  of  the    CaiKjh-nar 
'^agas,^  who  inhabit  a  villai:;e  on  the  banks  of  the  St.  LuW' 
'lec,  at  the  head  of  St.  Louis  IJapids,  near  Montreal : 

"Takwaionka  no  karonhiako  tcsitcron,  aiesasiimaion,  aio.s- 
awenniiostakc.  aiosawonnarakwako  nonwontsiako  t.siniiot  no 
karonhiako  tioyawonnarakwa.  Takwanout  ne  Ivenwonto  iaki- 
onnhokon  nialitowennisorako  ;  sasanikonrheiis  notlienon  ionki- 
nikouhraksaton  non  liwo  ;  totia  aionkwasonni  ne  Ivariwaneren, 
akwekon  even  sawit  ne  iotaksens  cthonaiawcn," 


OIK    LANGUAGE    INDEBTKD   TO    THE    INDIANS. 

The  Eno'lisli  lano^uaije  is  indebted  to  the  Indians  for  a 
number  of  common  words.   Among  them  are  canoe,  potato, 


*  The  Cauglinawagas  are  the  lineal  descendants,  chiefly  of 
Catholic  Moliawks  and  other  Iroquois  who  emigi'ated  to  Canada 
in  the  latter  part  of  the  17tli  century.  For  the  sake  of  our  holy 
Faith,  thoy  loft  the  ancient  Caughnawaga  on  the  banks  of  the 
Mohawk,  and  tounded  a  new  village  of  the  same  name  on  the 
banks  of  tho  lordly  St.  Lawrence.  Hero,  the  sons  of  the  llorco 
Iroquois  that  once  ruled  Now  York,  live  in  peace  and  in  the  prac- 


tices of    Catholicity, 
rapids." 


The  word  Caughnawaga  signifies  "the 


I 


'iif 


I  II 


1'    ( '  >l]ii, 


ii- 


I  it 


I;   II 


V:    <!, 


ir^  ^!' 


i     i   i  v^!|j 

i    J  j;,     '111   ' 


36 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


tobacco^  tomahawk^  wigwam^  hammock^  squa/w,  sachem^  and 
others.  They  have  also  bequeathed  to  us  nearly  all  the 
really  beautiful  names  of  our  States,  lakes,  and  rivers.  One 
of  the  poetic  minds  of  our  country  has  clothed  this  fact  in 
some  exquisite  eitanzas : 

You  say,  they  all  have  passed  away, 

That  noble  race  and  brave, 
That  their  light  canoes  have  vanished 

From  oflf  the  crested  wave  ; 
That  'mid  the  forests  where  they  roamed, 

There  rings  no  hunter's  shout  ; 
But  their  name  is  on  your  waters, 

You  may  not  wash  it  out. 

'Tis  where  Ontario's  billow 

Like  ocean's  surge  is  curled, 
Where  strong  Niagara's  thunders  wake 

The  echo  of  the  world  ; 
Where  red  Missouri  bringeth 

Rich  tributes  from  the  West, 
And  Rappahannock  sweetly  sleeps 

On  green  Virginia's  breast. 

You  say,  their  cone-like  cabins. 

That  clustered  o'er  the  vale, 
Have  fled  away  like  withered  leaves 

Before  the  autumn  gale  ; 
But  their  memory  liveth  on  your  hills, 

Their  baptism  on  your  shore, 
Your  everlasting  rivers  speak 

Their  dialect  of  yore. 

Old  Massa<'husetts  wears  it 

Within  her  lordly  ci'own, 
And  broad  Ohio  bears  it 

Amid  her  young  renown  ; 
Connecticut  hath  wreathed  it 

Where  her  quiet  foliage  waves, 
And  bold  Kentucky  breathes  it  hoarse 

Through  all  her  ancient  caves.* 


♦  Mrs.  Sigourney. 


The  Indians  and  their  Apostles. 


37 


We  li^ve  but  to  vocalize  some  of  these  names  and  the 
dullest  ear  is  pleased  with  the  sweet  music  of  the  sound.     I 
here  give  a  few,  accompanied  by  their  signiiication  in  Eng- 
lish : 
Indian  Names.  Meaning  in  English. 


Ohio, 

Ontario, 

Idaho, 

Cayuga, 

Alabama, 

Chicopee, 

Mohawk, 

Tennessee, 

Kiagara. 

Wisconsin, 

Saratoga, 

Rappahannock, 
Mississippi, 

Missouri, 

Manhattan, 

Morrimac, 

Kennebec, 

Acadia, 

Tuscaloosa. 

Massachusetts, 

Connecticut, 

Onondaga, 

Kentucky, 

Toronto, 

Minnehaha, 


Beautiful. 

Village  on  a  mountain. 

The  gem  of  the  mountains. 

Long  lake. 

Here  we  rest. 

Cedar  tree. 

Eaters  of  live  food. 

River  of  the  big  bend. 

Neck  of  water. 

Rushing  channel. 

Place  of  miraculous  waters  in  a 

rock. 
River  of  rising  waters. 
The  father  of  Waters,  or  Great 

River. 
Muddy. 

Town  on  the  island. 
Swift  water. 
Long  river. 
Where  we  dwell. 
Black-warrioi'. 
Around  the  great  hills. 
Land  on  the  long  river. 
Place  of  the  hills. 
Dark  and  bloody  ground. 
Place  of  meeting. 
Laughing  waters — a  waterfall. 


As  the  Indians  had  no  written  language,  they  did  not 
possess  any  learning.  A  few  rude  drawings  on  skins  or 
l)ark  formed  their  sole  record.*  The  Franciscan,  Domini- 
can, and  Jesuit  missionaries  were  the  first  Europeans  who  set 

*  The  Micmacs  of  Nova  Scotia  formed  the  only  exception.  Tlioy 
possessed  an  alphabet  and  a  system  of  writing,  peculiarly  their 
own.  Recently  a  learned  Cherokee  invented  an  alphabet  suited 
to  his  own  language  ;  but  we  are  now  speaking  of  the  early  In- 
diana. 


^1'  ! 


it! 


iiVj'' 


!     i 


.1^    ' 


!  ^ 

I 

1  .    ■    ; 

, 

Hjn       ]  1 

r     i 

Wit       { f 

i 

1 

38 


Catholicity  in  the   United  States. 


about  tlie  extremely  difficult  task  of  acquiring  tlie  Indian 
languages.  Father  Pareja,  O.S.F.,  published  an  Indian  cate- 
chism as  early  as  1593.  Father  Brebeuf,  S.  J.,  wrote  a  Huron 
catechism,  Father  Chaumonot,  S.  J.,  a  Huron  dictionary,  and 
Father  Bruyas,  S. J.,  an  Iroquois  dictionary ;  while  Father 
AVhite,  8.J.,  did  the  same  for  the  Maryland  Indians,  and 
Father  liale,  S.J.,  for  the  Abnaki  of  Maine.  I\unierons 
Catholic  prayer-books,  catechisms,  and  other  works  of  de- 
votion have,  at  various  times,  appeared  in  different  Indian 
dialects.  Of  the  present  century,  the  best  known  Indian 
authors  are  Bishop  Baraga,  Father  de  Smet,  S.J.,  Kev. 
Dr.  Yetromile,  and  Kev.  Joseph  Marcoux. 

GLANCES   AT   INDIAN   LIFE. 

The  manners,  customs,  and  social  life  of  the  Indians  are 
far  from  uninteresting,  and  must  be  somewhat  known  be- 
fore we  can  properly  understand  the  thousand-and-one 
obstacles  which  the  heroic  missionaries  had  to  encounter  in 
the  work  of  converting  the  savages  to  Catholicity.  These 
primitive  Americans  had  no  cities,  but,  generally,  dwelt  in 
villages  of  rude  huts,  or  wigM'ams.  As  architects,  the 
Ilnrons  and  Iroquois  ranked  first.  Though,  in  the  end,  bit- 
ter enemies,  these  two  nations  belonged  to  the  same  family, 
built  towns,  and  were  stationary,  at  least,  as  to  their  resi- 
dences. AVith  the  wide-spread  Algonquins  and  other  wan- 
dering tribes,  there  was  nothing  stable.  They  were  ever  on 
the  move.  To-day  they  encamped  on  the  shores  of  some 
beautiful  lake,  or  on  the  baidvs  of  some  sparkling  river ;  to- 
morrow, with  their  light  wigwams  on  their  backs,  they  di- 
rected their  liasty  steps  to  some  other  point  of  the  compass  ! 
The  rivei's  were  their  highways.  Fvery  summer  their 
canoes  could  be  seen  skimming  along  the  Kennebec,  Hud- 
son, !St.  Lawrence,  and  other  historic  streams. 

The  Huron  and  Iroquois  towns  were  sometimes  large, 
and  the  houses  built  on  a  plan  peculiar  to  these  nations. 
Their  towns  commonly  covered  from  one  to  ten  acres ; 
while  the  houses  were  about  thirty  feet  in  length,  thirty  in 


The  Indians  and  their  Apostles. 


39 


lieiffht.     B;;t 


of  these 


breadth,  and  the  same  in  iieignt.  v>\\\  some  oi  tnese  smgu- 
lar  residences  were  often  much  longer.  Carticr  describes 
the  houses  he  eavv  at  Montreal  as  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet 
long;  Clianiplain  says  he  saw  one  ninety  feet ;  and  Yander- 
donc  tells  of  an  Iroquois  house  live  hundred  and  forty  feet 
in  length!"  In  shape  they  resembled  an  arbor.  "Their 
frame  was  formed  of  tall  and  strong  sapplings,  planted  in  a 
double  1  ow  to  fomi  the  two  sides  of  the  house,  bent  till  they 
met,  and  lashed  together  at  the  top."  f  This  was  all  covered 
with  bark,  except  an  opening  at  the  top  about  a  foot  wide, 
extending  the  whole  length  of  the  house,  and  performing 
the  double  olficc  of  chimney  and  windows.  Along  the 
centre  were  ranged  the  fires,  one  serving  for  ever^  two 
fnmilies.  During  the  cold  nights  of  winter  the  Indians 
stretched  themselves  pell-mell  around  these  lodge-fires.  A 
town  containing  two  thousand  inhabitants  was  considered 
very  large.  X 

For  purposes  of  protection,  the  towns,  or  villages,  were 
generally  surrounded  by  palisades  of.  trees,  or  brushwood. 
Heaps  of  stones,  little  scaling  ladders,  and  other  materials  of 
rude  warfare,  were  carefully  stored  away,  ready  for  use  at 
any  moment.  In  founding  a  town,  every  effort  Wiis  made  to 
secure  a  favorable  site,  which  was  generally  the  shore  of  a 
lake,  the  bank  of  a  river,  or  a  hill-top.  The  Iroquois  were 
the  best  fort  builders.  "  To  this  day,"  says  Parkman,  "  large 


Ilud- 


*  Parkman.  t  Ibid. 

I  The  number  of  Indians  within  the  present  Umits  of  the 
United  States  was  comparatively  small  at  any  period  since  the 
discovery  of  America.  For  instance,  the  Iroquois  when  at  the 
li('if,'lit  of  their  power  (about  1G50)  did  not  number  more  than 
ll'.OOO.  They  could  never  call  out  over  3,000  warriors.  See 
Piirkinan's  Introduction  to  the  ^^  Jesuits  in  North  Amciiaiy 

As  to  the  size  of  towns,  or  rather  of  villages,  among  the  station- 
ary tril)es,  Brobeuf  tells  us  that  the  Huron  town  of  St.  Joseph 
had  400  families,  or  about  2,000  inhabitants.  Allouez  describes 
Kaskaskla,  a  town  of  the  Illinois,  as  containing  351  cabins. 
Those  were  considered  very  large. 


|:     fivl 

','t    A'.      '.'         ;■ 

mmmmm 


i,;!' .   1* 


.i!i ; 


■li 


.  Mil 


;!!■,'[!  i 


40 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


districts  in  New  York  are  marked  witli  frequent  remains  of 
their  ditches  and  embankments." 

The  ordinary  wigwam  of  the  Algonquins  and  other  roam- 
ing clans  differed  very  much  from  the  Huron  house  or  the 
Iroquois  castle.  It  "was  of  a  conical  form,  nine  or  ten  feet 
high,  lighted  by  a  hole  in  the  roof,  which  also  served  as  a 
vent  for  the  smoke.  The  tents  of  the  chiefs  being  larger, 
generally  contained  several  apartments.  The  Indian  resi- 
dences on  the  Lower  Mississippi,  as  seen  by  La  Salle,  were 
formed  of  clay  and  straw,  surmounted  by  roofs  of  cane. 

Though  for  the  most  j^art  an  unsettled  race,  the  wander- 
ings of  each  tribe  were,  generally,  confined  to  its  own  hunt- 
ing grounds — "  an  unbroken  -vNilderness  extending  for  miles 
on  every  side,  where  the  braves  roamed,  hmiters  alike  of 
beasts  and  men." 

Agriculture  was  confined  to  a  few  plants — Indian  com, 
beans,  pumpkins,  hemp,  and  tobacco.  The  use  of  tobacco 
was  universal  among  the  Indians.  Canoes,  rude  pottery, 
wigwams,  snow-shoes,  garments,  wampum,  and  weapons 
constituted  their  sole  manufactures.  They  were  ignorant  of 
the  use  of  iron.  Canoes  were  made  of  bark,  or  from  the 
trunks  of  large  trees,  which  were  hollowed  by  the  aid  of  fire 
and  their  stone  ax^i.  The  birch-bark  canoe  was  the  master- 
piece of  Indian  workmanship.  It  was  only  by  burning  around 
trees  that  they  could  bring  them  down.  Fire  they  obtained 
by  rapidly  rubbing  two  pieces  of  wood  together. 

DKE88   OF    THE   INDIANS. 

Their  dress  was  in  keeping  with  everything  else.  Many 
of  the  Indian  women,  however,  clothed  themselves  witli 
much  modesty ;  even  more  so,  says  a  Jesuit  Father,  referring 
to  the  Huron  squaws,  than  the  "  most  pious  ladies  in  France." 
To  the  warriors,  a  similar  compliment  cannot  be  paid.  In 
summer  they  dispensed  with  nearly  every  article  of  their 
rude  covering  but  the  moccasins.*  It  was  different  in 
winter.      Then  "  they  \^  ere  clad  in  tunics  and  leggins  of  skin, 

♦  Father  Allouez,  S.J.,  also  Father  Membre,  O.S.F. 


The  Indiajis  and  their  Apostles, 


41 


and  at  all  seasons,  on  occasions  of  ceremony,  were  wrapped 
from  head  to  foot  in  robes  of  beaver  or  other  furs,  sometimes 
of  the  greatest  value."*  When  his  elaborate,  full-dress  toilet 
was  completed,  no  civilized  fop  could  surpass  an  Indian 
cliief  tricked  out  witli  gew-gaws,  painted  and  tattooed  with 
veniiilion,  with  stripes  of  black,  red,  and  blue  from  ear  to  ear, 
:md  liiri  head  adorned  with  the  beak  and  plumage  of  the  raven, 
or  eaffle,  or  the  wing  of  the  red  bird. 


I 


WAK   THE  CHIEF   TEOFESSION. 

War  was  esteemed  the  most  honorable  employment,  and 
next  to  it  ranked  hunting  and  fishing.  The  weapons  of  the 
Indian  were  bows  and  arrows,  spears,  clubs,  and  tomahawks. 
The  arrows  and  spears  were  pointed  with  horn,  or  sharp 
pieces  of  flint  stone.  The  chibs  consisted  of  heavy  pieces 
of  knotted  wood  hardened  in  the  fire  ;  while  the  tomahawks 
were  simply  stone  hatchets,  with  hickory  branches  twisted 
around  them  for  handles  and  smoothed  down  to  a  sharp 
edge.  The  Indian's  skiU  in  the  use  of  his  arms  was  pro- 
verbial. In  his  hands  the  bow  and  arrow  were  no  mean 
weapons.  Pitched  battles,  or  general  engagements  were 
unknown  until  the  natives  learned  of  the  white  man  to  make 
war  on  a  large  scale.  Their  hostile  movements  were  gener- 
ally skillful  dashes  of  a  few  warriors  into  the  enemy's  coun- 
try, taking  some  scalps,  doing  all  the  mischief  they  could, 
and  returning  with  as  little  injury  as  possible  to  themselves. 
Tlie  great  point  of  their  tactics  was  suiprise.  Comparative 
rank  of  chiefs  and  warriors  often  depended  on  the  number 
of  scalps  they  had  taken.  If  made  prisoner,  the  Indian  brave 
was  subjected  to  the  most  cruel  treatment,  being  burned  at 
the  stake  by  a  slow  fire.  Sometimes  as  a  tribute  of  respect 
to  manly  fortitude,  mercy  took  the  place  of  ferocity,  and  the 
h;ilf -murdered  warrior  was  adopted  as  a  brother  by  his 
enemies.  Often,  as  a  religions  ceremony,  the  flesh  of  the 
unhappy  victim  was  eaten,  his  heart  being  divided  into  small 
pieces,  and  given  to  the  young  men  and  boys,  that  it  might 

*  Purkmon. 


-ii;-    i:i'^' 


I   I 


mm' 


42 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


communicate  its  coura«:^e  to  tliem.  Cannibalism  to  this 
extent  was  practiced  both  by  the  llurons  and  Iroquois.*  The 
dying  warrior  made  it  a  point  of  lionor  to  endure  these  awful 
torments  with  unshaken  heroism.  To  his  last  breath  he 
taunted  his  savage  tormenters,  and  boldly  shouted  his  death- 
song  from  among  the  flames  ! 

THE   INDIAN   WOMEN. 

Woman,  amongst  the  Indians,  was  a  degraded  being — a 
slave.  To  her  life  there  was  no  bright  side.  She  did  all  the 
drudgery  of  the  wigwam,  raised  the  crops  of  corn,  and,  in 
tiieir  wanderings,  bore  the  heavy  burdens.  In  the  words 
of  Champlain,  "theirwomen  were  their  mules."  Catholicity 
first  taught  the  Indian  that  the  squaw  was  equal  to  the 
warrior  ;  and  that  the  sex  which  our  divine  Lord  honored 
by  making  one  of  them  His  mother,  must  be  respected. 

INDIAN    GOVERNMENT. 

The  Indian  system  of  government  was  exceedingly 
simple,  and,   in   many   respects,  worthy  of   serious  study. 

The  fifty  sachems  of  the  famous  Iroquois  formed  the 
government  of  that  confederacy.  The  learned  Jesuit  mis- 
sionary, Laiitau,  tells  us  that  this  great  Council  of  Fifty 
would,  in  wisdom  and  eloquence,  compare  very  favorably 
with  the  Koman  Senate  in  the  early  days  of  the  Republic. 
He  thus  describes  that  singular  legislative  body  :  "  It  is  a 
greasy  assemblage,  sitting  sur  leur  derriere^  crouched  like 
apes,  their  knees  as  high  as  their  ears,  or  lying  some  on 
their  bellies,  some  on  their  backs,  each  with  a  pipe  in  his 
mouth,  discussini;  affairs  of  state  with  as  much  coolness  and 
gravity  as  the  Spanish  Junta,  or  the  Grand  Council  of 
Venice."  In  fact,  the  code  that  obtained  among  the  Five 
Nations  was  the  masterjiiece  of  Indian  jurisprudence.  Both 
as  law-givers  and  as  warriors  they  towered  above  all  other 
tribes  within  the  limits  of  our  country. 

The  general  form  of  government  common  among  the  In- 

*  Father  Brebeuf,  S.J.;  also  Father  Le  Mercier,  S.J. 


The  Indians  and  tJicir  Apostles. 


43 


dians  is  thus  tersely  aiul  correctly  stated  by  a  late  writer : 
"  The  head  of  each  tribe  was  a  chief,  or  sachem,  sometimes 
eo  bv  birth,  but  generally  chosen  on  account  of  his  bravery, 
or  wlsdon',  or  eloi|uence.  His  opinion,  if  supported  by  a 
council  of  the  elders,  was  the. only  law.  But  he  had  no 
means  of  enforcing  it  on  those  who  were  unwilling  to  obey. 
His  influence  depended  wholly  on  his  personal  character. 
The  warriors  followed  .him  on  a  war  party  only  if  they 
chose.  There  could  be  no  compulsion.  Proud  as  the  In- 
dian was  in  many  things,  that  of  which  he  was  most  proud 
was  his  personal  freedom."* 

THE   RELIGION   OF   THE   INDIANS — SUPEKSTITION. 

It  is  a  popular  notion  that  the  primitive  Indians  worshi]> 
ped  God  under  the  name  of  the  Great  Sjnrit.  Kothing  could 
be  further  from  the  truth.  The  couplet  of  the  distinguished. 
Catholic  poet,  Alexander  Pope,  cpioted  at  the  head  of  this 
chapter,  is  perhaps  a  good  sample  of  what  educated  Europe 
knows  of  Indian  belief.  As  poetry  it  may  be  good,  but  it 
need  not  be  accepted  as  history.  Pope  was  more  familiar 
with  his  garden  at  Twickenham  than  with  the  hunting 
grounds  of  the  llurons,  or  Iroquois.    "Were  his  lines  turned — 

"  Lo  !  the  poor  Indian  !  whose  untutored  mind, 
Sees  inanttousj  in  clouds,  or  hears  them  -n  the  wind," 


it  would  doubtless  add  to  their  truth,  though  at  the  expense 
of  measure  and  harmony. 

The  average  American  concerns  himself  so  little  about 
the  details  of  any  one's  creed,  that  it  need  create  no  sur- 
prise if  he  never  troubles  his  busy  head  about  whether  his 
dusky  predecessors  of  the  soil  believed  anything,  or  nothing. 


*  Scott.  See  Parkman's  excellent  Introduction  to  his  ^^  Jesuits 
in  North  America.'''' 

t  Manitou — a  spirit  ;  manitous — spirits.  The  Indians'  M'orld 
was  one  full  of  all  sorts  of  spirits — good  and  bad.  The  idea  of  a 
Supreme  Spirit  was  borrowed  from  us. 


T 


I 


m'. 


n 


,l!!i    ^i 


M 


■    I 


■■■  II 


ii 


f 


44 


Catholicity  in  the   Utiited  States, 


The  triitli  is,  the  primitive  Incliiin  was  as  ignorant  of 
Almiij^hty  God  as  he  was  of  Christian  morality  and  the  ele- 
gancies of  life.  And  as  he  first  obtained  fircaniis  from  the 
white  man,  so  he  first  learned  this  greatest  of  all  truths — 
the  existence  of  one  God — from  the  lips  of  the  Catholic 
missionary.  No  Indian  dialect  had  an  equivalent  term  for 
our  word  God,  which  had  to  he  translated  in  a  roundabout 
manner  by  saying  the  "Great  Spirit  that  lives  above,''  "the 
Great  Cliief  of  Men,"  "  the  Great  Kuler  of  the  Skies,"  or 
soni(;thing  to  that  effect.  If  they  had  anything  in  common 
Avitli  Christianity,  it  was  their  belief  in  the  existence  of  the 
soul,  and  of  a  spirit-land,  or  future  state.  For  all  there  was, 
however,  but  one  spirit-land,  yet  all  were  not  to  be  equally 
happy  when  they  reached  that  bourne  whence  no  traveller 
returns.  "  Skillful  hunters  and  hrave  warriors  went  to  the 
happy  hunting  ground ;  while  the  slothful,  the  cowardly, 
and  the  weak  were  doomed  to  eat  serpents  and  ashes  in 
dreary  regions  of  mist  and  darkness.  *  *  *  According 
to  some  Algonquin  traditions,  heaven  was  a  scene  of  endless 
festivity,  the  ghosts  dancing  to  the  soimd  of  the  rattle  and 
the  drum,  and  greeting  with  hospitable  welcome  the  occa- 
sional visitor  from  the  living  world ;  for  the  spirit-land  was 
not  far  off,  and  roving  hunters  sometimes  passed  its  confines 
unawares." 

As  a  whole,  the  Indian's  belief  was  really  a  ridiculous 
medley  of  supert^tition  and  idolatry.  "  Pure  unmixed  devil- 
worship,"  says  Dr.  Shea,  "prevailed  throughout  the  length 
and  breadth  of  the  land."  Some  tribes  paid  honors  to  the 
Cpalumet.  Father  Marquette  tells  us  that  the  Illinois,  who 
dwelt  on  the  upper  Mississippi,  "  adored  the  sun  and  thun- 
der." Father  Douay,  who  accompanied  La  Salle's  expedi- 
tion, found  the  Indians  of  the  Lower  Mississippi  paying 
divine  honors  to  the  sun.  Fathers  Dablon  and  AUouez  teU 
us  of  an  Indian  idol  which  they  discovered  on  the  banks  of 
Fox  River,  near  Green  Bay,  "Wisconsin.  It  was  "  merely 
a  rqck  bearing  some  resemblance  to  a  man,  and  hideously 
painted.  With  the  help  of  their  attendant  they  threw  it 
into  the  water." 


The  Indians  and  their  Apostles. 


45 


The  Indian  fancied  that  mnnitouf^  Mere  in  everytliing — 
men,  animals,  hikes,  rivers,  hills,  and  vallevs.  To  his  rudo 
and  narrow  mind  these  manitoiis  had  it  in  their  power  to 
cause  disaster  or  triumph,  health  or  sickness,  life  or  death.  Be- 
sides, there  were  good  and  bad  manitous,  great  and  small 
manitons.  Their  bad  manitous  answer  to  our  devil.  But 
it  may  be  proper  to  call  to  our  assistance  one  of  the  old 
missionaries  in  order  to  explain  this  complicated  subject  ot' 
Indian  worship ;  and  to  exhibit  the  rascality  of  that  most 
accomplished  of  red-skin  rogues — the  medicine-man,  or  In- 
dian conjurer. 

"It  would  be  difficult,"*  writes  Father  Marest,  S.J.,  "to 
say  what  is  the  religion  of  our  Indians.  It  consists  entirely 
of  some  superstitions  with  which  their  credulity  is  amused. 
As  all  their  knowledge  is  limited  to  an  acquaintance  with 
brutes,  and  to  the  necessities  of  life,  so  it  is  to  these  things 
that  all  their  worship  is  confined.  Their  medicine-men, 
who  have  a  little  more  intellect  than  the  rest,  gain  the  re- 
spect of  the  Indians  by  their  ability  to  deceive  them.  These 
jugglers  persuade  the  others  that  they  honor  a  kind  of  spirit 
to  whom  they  give  the  name  of  manitou  ;  and  teach  them 
that  it  is  this  spirit  which  governs  all  things,  and  is  master 
of  life  and  death.  A  bird,  a  buifalo,  a  bear,  or  rather  the 
plumage  of  the^e  birds,  and  the  skins  of  these  beasts — such 
is  their  manitou.  They  hang  it  up  in  their  wigwams,  and 
offer  it  sacrifices  of  dogs  and  other  animals.  *  "'  *  ^ 
These  medicine-men  have  recourse  to  their  manitous  when 
comj^osing  their  remedies,  or  when  attempting  to  cure  the 
diseased.  They  accompany  their  invocations  with  chants, 
and  dances,  and  frightful  contortions  to  induce  the  belief 
that  they  are  inspired  by  their  manitous.  -5^  *  *  During 
these  different  contortions,  the  medicine-man  names  some- 
times one  animal  and  sometimes  another,  and  at  last  applies 
himself  to  suck  that  part  of  the  body  in  which  the  sick  per- 
son complains  of  pain.     After  having  done  so  for  some- 


*  Letter  of  1712. 


w 


46 


CatJiolicity  in  the   United  States, 


I'll 


time  ho  suddenly  raises  liimself  and  throws  out  to  the  sick 
person  the  tooth  of  a  bear  or  of  some  other  animal,  which 
he  had  kept  concealed  in  his  month.  'Bear  friend,'  he 
cries, '  you  will  live !  See  what  it  was  that  was  killing  you  !' 
After  which  he  says  in  applauding  himself:  *  Who  can  re- 
sist my  manitou  ?  Is  he  not  the  one  who  is  the  master  of 
life?'  If  the  patient  hajjpcns  to  die  he  immediately  has 
some  deceit  ready  prepared  to  ascribe  the  death  to  some 
other  cause,  which  took  place  after  he  had  left  the  sick  man. 
But,  if  on  the  contrary,  he  should  recover  his  health,  it  is 
then  that  the  medicine-man  receives  consideration,  and  is 
himself  regarded  as  a  manitou  !  After  being  well  rewarded 
for  his  labors,  the  best  that  the  village  produces  is  spread 
out  to  regale  him. 

"  These  jugglers  are  a  great  ob&tacle  to  the  conversion  of 
the  Indians.  In  every  way  in  their  power  they  persecute 
and  torment  the  Christians. 

"  One  of  them  was  about  to  shoot  a  young  girl  who  passed 
by  his  wigwam  door.  Seeing  a  pair  of  beads  in  her  hands, 
he  wickedly  thought  they  had  caused  his  father's  death  ;  and 
was  on  the  point  of  firing  at  her,  when  some  other  Indians 
prevented  him. 

"  I  cannot  tell  you  how  often  I  have  received  gross  insults 
from  them,  nor  how  many  times  I  should  have  expired  under 
their  blows,  had  it  not  been  for  the  particular  protection  of 
God.  On  one  occasion,  aniong  others,  one  of  them  would 
have  split  my  head  with  his  hatchet,  had  I  not  turned  at  the 
very  time  his  arm  was  raised  to  strike  me." 


Ill:' 

I  m 


THE   MYSTERIOUS   CALUMET. 

As  the  most  singular  of  the  objects  worshipped  by  some 
of  the  tribes  and  venerated  by  all  of  them,  I  must  not  omit 
to  mention  the  all-mysterious  Calumet.  Father  Marquette 
thus  writes  of  it  in  his  "  Narrative  of  the  Discovery  of  the 
Mississijypi  "/  "  Men  do  not  pay  to  the  crow^ns  and  sceptres 
of  Kings  the  honor  they  (the  Indians)  pay  to  the  Calumet : 
it  seems  to  be  the  god  of  peace  and  war,  tlie  arbiter  of  life 


The  Indians  and  tliciy  Apostles, 


47 


and  death.  Carry  it  about  you  and  filiow  it,  and  you  cau 
march  fearlet-sly  amid  enemies,  who  even  in  the  lieat  of  bat- 
tle lav  down  tiieir  arm*  when  it  is  ^^hown.  Tliey  use  it  for 
scttlin;^:  disputes,  stren<:;tht'niu^  alliances,  and  speakin*^  to 
stranp^ers."  The  same  Father  dt  scribes  a  Calumet  which 
the  Illinois  presented  him  when  descending  the  great  river, 
as  "  made  of  polished  red  st(mc,  like  marble,  so  pierced  that 
one  end  serves  to  hold  the  tobacco,  while  the  other  is  fast- 
ened on  the  stem,  which  is  a  stick  two  feet  long,  as  thick  as 
a  common  cane,  and  pierced  iii  the  middle.  It  is  ornamented 
with  the  head  and  neck  of  different  birds  of  beautiful  ]du- 
mage  ;  they  also  add  large  feathers  of  green,  red,  and  other 
colors,  AvHth  which  it  is  all  covered."' 

2.       TnE    APOSTLES    OF   THE    INDIANS. 

The  methods  pursued  by  the  Catholic  missionaries,  together 
with  their  endless  toils,  journeys,  and  difficulties  in  gaining 
over  to  Christianity  the  rude  and  eccentric  intellect  of  the 
red  man,  may  well  be  regarded  as  forming  one  of  the  most 
striking  and  important  features  of  early  American  history. 
It  would  be  unpardonable  not  to  present  a  few  pictures  from 
this  portrait  gallery. 


THE    SPANISH    METHOD. 

The  Spaniards  were  the  first  to  carry  the  Gospel  among 
the  dusky  savages.  Their  mode  of  erecting  a  mission  was 
somewhat  peculiar.  The  priests  gencfi'ally  accompanied  an 
expedition,  the  leader  of  wdiich  represented  the  Spanish  sov- 
ereign, and  in  his  name  took  possession  of  the  new  country. 
As  the  formalities  used  on  su(  h  an  occasion  have  a  beautiful 
religious  interest,  they  are  here  given  in  detail :  "  The 
locality  was  taken  possession  of  by  the  lay  authority ;  a  tent 
was  erected  as  a  temporary  chapel ;  the  Fathers,  in  proces- 
sion, proceeded  to  bless  the  place,  and  the  chapel  on  whoso 
front  a  crucifix,  or  simple  wooden  cross,  was  raised  ;  the  holy 
sacrifice  was  then  offered  up,  and  a  sermon  was  preached  on 
the  coming  and  power  of  the  Holy  G!:o:-t.     The  Yeni  Ore- 


48 


Catholicity  in  tlic   United  Slates. 


ator  was  sun^,  niid  a  Fatlior  was  charged  with  the  direction 
and  responsibility  of  tlie  mission.  Tiie  i  ndians  were  attracted 
hy  little  presents.  To  the  men  and  women  were  «ijiven  small 
])ieces  of  cloth,  or  food,  and  to  the  children  hits  of  sugar. 
'J'hey  wouhl  soon  gather  around  the  missionaries,  when  they 
found  how  good  and  kind  they  were  ;  and  the  })riests  were 
not  slow  in  ])icl\ing  up  the  language.  They  became  the 
fathers  and  instructors  of  the  poor  ignorant  Indians,  cate- 
chized them  in  the  mysteries  of  the  faith,  collected  them 
into  villages  around  the  mission  church,  and  taught  thcin  to 
plough  and  cultivate  the  lands,  to  sow  wheat,  to  grind  corn, 
to  bake.  They  introduced  the  olive,  the  vine,  and  the  ap])le  ; 
and  taught  the  natives  how  to  yoke  the  oxen  for  work,  how 
to  spin  and  weave  their  clothing,  to  prepare  leather  from  the 
liides,  and  instructed  them  in  the  rudiments  of  commerce."- 
Such  was  the  method  followed  in  most  of  the  early  Indian 
missions  begun  in  the  southern  portion  of  our  country 
— then  Spanish  tei-ritory. 

THE   I'NOUSn    METHOD. 

The  missions  of  the  English  Jesuits  in  Maryland  extended, 
comparatively  speaking,  over  a  small  area,  watered  by  several 
rivers,  which  served  as  highways  for  the  ministers  of  God 
on  their  errands  of  mercy  and  peace.  Hence  from  the 
storehouse,  or  missionary  centre,  they  generally  started  in 
boats,  on  these  pious  expeditions.  Their  daily  life  of  joyful 
toil  is  thus  told  by  Father  White,  S.  J.,  the  venerable  apostle 
of  Maryland  :  "  We  sail  in  an  open  boat — the  Father,  an 
intei'preter  and  servant.  In  a  calm,  or  with  a  head  wind, 
two  I'ow,  and  a  third  steers  the  boat.  We  carry  a  basket  of 
bread,  cheese,  butter,  dried  roasted  ears  of  corn,  beans,  and 
some  meal,  and  a  chest  containing  the  sacerdotal  vestments, 
the  slab  or  altar  for  mass,  the  wine  used  in  the  holy  sacriticc, 
and  blessed  baptismal  water.  In  another  chest  we  carry 
knives,  combs,  little  bells,    fishing-hooks,  needles,  thread. 


*  "  The  CathoHc  World:'    Vol.  II. 


■'1  ■  ',  "I'-i!"''  ■■»■■ 


The  Indians  and  tlicir  Apostles, 


49 


and  other  tritlcs,  for  urosonts  to  the  Indi.in^j.  Wo  tako  two 
mats,  a  small  one  to  shclti-r  us  from  tlio  sun,  and  a  larger 
one  to  ])rotet't  us  from  the  rain.  Tlic  sorvant  r'arri»(s  irnplo- 
monts  for  hunting'  and  cookinij:  utensils.  \Ve  endeavor  to 
reaeh  some  Indian  village,  or  Kiii^dish  plantation  hy  ni:i:lit- 
t'all.  If  we  do  not  sueeeed,  then  the  Father  secures  the  boat 
to  the  hank,  eoUcets  wood,  and  makes  a  tire,  while  the  other 
two  fjo  out  to  liunt ;  and  after  cooking  our  game,  we  take 
some  refreshment,  and  then  lie  down  to  sleep  around  the 
lire.  When  threatened  witli  rain,  we  erect  a  tent,  covering 
it  with  our  large  mat.  Thatdcs  he  to  (Jod,  we  enjoy  our 
scanty  fare  and  hard  beds  as  much  as  if  we  were  acconnno- 
dated  with  the  luxuries  of  Europe.  *  *  *  God  now 
imparts  to  us  a  foretaste  of  what  lie  is  about  to  give  those 
that  live  faithfully  in  this  life."* 


THE    FRENCH    JE.SLTFS. 

The  marvellous  lives  of  the  apostolic  priests  of  France,  in 
the  Nortii  and  West  of  our  country,  prove  that  truth  is 
stranger  than  iiction.  The  French  Jesuit  was  the  missionary 
of  missionaries.  Often  he  had  no  companion  but  his  breviary, 
and  no  power  to  aid  him  save  that  which  said  :  "  do,  teach 
all  nations.''  At  the  regular  missionary  centres,  however, 
several  Fathers  generdly  dwelt  together.  Such  stations  were 
much  alike.  "  They  consisted  of  a  chapel  (commonly  of 
logs)  and  one  or  more  houses,  with  perhaps  a  store-house  and 
a  workshojD — the  whole  fenced  in  with  palisades,  and  form- 
in  Lr  in  fact,  a  stockade  fort  surrounded  with  clearings  and 
uultJNuU'd  fields. 

"  In  T'spect  to  the  commodities  of  life  the  Jesuits  were  but 
a  step     a   advance  of  the   Indians.     Their  house,  though 

ill  ventilated  by  numberless  crevices  in  its  bark  walls, 
.i  ways  smelt  of  smoke,  and  when  the  wind  was  in  certain 
(lUarters,  was  fille  with  it  to  suffocation.  At  their  meals 
the  Fathers  sat  on  logs  around  the  tire,  over  which  their 


*  ^'  Relatio  Itinen's  in  Marylandiam.''^ 
4 


I'  it  i 


1 
( \ 


1,1  !  fi  1    1 


'H 

""8 

r 


1 

Uiti ' 

1 

1 

i 

|| 

1 

1     r 

i 

50 


CatJiolicity  in  the  United  States. 


kettle  was  slniip^  in  the  Iiiflian  fasliion.  Each  had  his  woodon 
platter,  which  fi'oiii  the  difficulty  of  transportation  was 
valued  in  the  Huron  country  (Canada)  at  the  price  of  a  beaver 
skin,  or  one  hundred  franco.  Their  food  consisted  of  saga- 
mite,  or  '  mrish  '  made  of  pounded  Indian  corn  Lolled  with 
scraps  of  smoked  lish.  The  repast  was  occasionally  varied 
by  a  pumpkin  or  squash  baked  in  the  ashes,  or  in  the  season 
— Indian  corn  roasted  in  the  ear.  They  used  no  salt  what- 
ever. By  day  they  read  and  studied  by  the  light  that 
streamed  in  througli  the  large  smoke-holes  in  the  roof — at 
night  by  the  blaze  of  the  fire.  Their  only  candles  were  a 
few  of  wax  for  the  altar.  They  cultivated  a  patch  of  ground, 
but  raised  nothing  on  it  except  wheat  for  making  the  sacra- 
meiital  bread.  Their  food  was  supplied  by  the  Indians,  to 
whom  in  return  they  gave  cloth,  knives,  awls,  needles,  and 
various  trinkets.  Their  supply  of  wine  for  the  eucharist 
was  so  scanty  that  they  limited  themselves  to  four  or  live 
drops  for  each  mass. 

"  Their  life  was  regulated  with  a  conventual  strictness. 
At  :'*our  in  the  morning  a  bell  aroused  them  from  the  sheets 
of  bark  on  which  they  slept.  Masses,  private  devotions, 
reading  religious  books,  and  breakfast,  filled  the  time  until 
eight,  when  they  opened  their  door  and  admitted  the  In- 
dians. A  lesson  in  catechism  was  then  given,  after  which 
the  work  of  the  day  began.  As  the  Indians  were  exj)ert 
thieves,  it  wat  necessary,  continues  Parkmar  that  one 
or  nu  e  of  the  Fathers  should  remain  on  guard  all  day. 
The  rest  went  forth  on  their  missionary  labors  baptizing  and 
instructing.  To  each  priest  who  could  speak  Huron  was  ' 
af^slgned  a  certain  number  of  houses — in  some  instances  as 
many  as  forty,  and  as  these  often  Lad  fiv^e  or  six  tires  with 
two  families  to  each,  his  spiritual  flock  was  as  numerous  a^j 
it  Avas  intrac  table.  It  Avas  his  care  to  see  that  none  of  the 
number  died  >vithout  l)aptism,  and  by  every  means  in  his 
power  to  connnend  the  doctrines  of  faith  to  the  acceptance 
of  those  in  health. 

"  At  dinner,  wliicli  was  at  two  o'clock,  grace  was  said  in 


I 


The  htdians  and  their  Apostle^. 


5^ 


I 


iruron — for  the  beiieiit  of  tlie  Indians  present — and  a  eliap- 
terof  the  Bible  was  read  aloud  during  the  meal.  At  four 
or  live,  according  to  the  season,  the  Indians  were  dismissed, 
the  door  nlosed,  and  the  evening  spent  in  writing,  reading, 
stndvnig  the  language,  devotion,  and  conversation  on  the 
alfairs  of  the  mission."  * 

This  was  the  mode  of  life  at  the  local  missions,  but  the 
priests  often  made  journeys  both  long  and  difficult.  They 
made  these  distant  excursions,  two  in  company,  until  cveiy 
house  in  every  Huron  town  liad  heard  the  annunciation  of 
tl'c  new  doctrine.  On  these  journeys  they  carried  blankets 
or  large  mantles  on  their  backs,  for  sleeping  in  at  night,  be- 
sides a  supply  of  needles,  awls,  beads,  and  other  small 
articles  to  pay  for  their  lodging  and  entertainment ;  for  the 
Ilurons,  hospitable  without  stint  to  each  other,  expected  full 
compensation  from  the  Jesuits. 

Speaking  of  the  saintly  Brebeuf,  the  prince  of  Indian 
missionaries,  Bancroft  writes :  "  Sometimes  .ifter  the  man- 
ner of  St.  Francis  Xavier,  Brebeuf  would  walk  tlirough  the 
villai^e  and  its  environs  rine-ing  a  little  bell,  and  invitinii'  the 
Huron  braves  and  counsellors  to  a  conference.  There,  under 
the  shady  forest,  the  most  solemn  mysteries  of  the  Catholic 
faith  were  subject  to  discussion." 

It  may  be  interesting  to  learn  what  method  of  argument 
was  most  successful  in  bringing  conviction  to  the  Indian 
mind.  Father  Bressani,  S.J.,  in  his  Breve  Relatione  gives 
that  which  succeeded  best  among  the  Hurons  ;  "  and  which," 
says  Dr.  Shea,  "  was  most  probably  employed  among  the 
Iro(piois."  "AVe  advance,"  writes  Father  Bressani,  "the 
motives  of  credibility  usually  assigned  1)y  theologians. 
Tlxtse  'vhich  answer  best  are  the  three  following:  (1.)  The 
(•'III I'  ,niity  of  our  law  and  the  commandments  of  God  with 
the  light  of  reason.  Our  faith  forlu'ds  nothing  that  reason 
does  not  e(|ually  forbid  ;  and  all  that  faith  commands  is 
approved  by  reason.     '•'■     '^'     *     Our  Indians   understand 


*  "The  Jesuits  hi  North  America." 


i 

i 

1  A^' 

3i5 

11::    ^:^ 


y 

\h' 

1 

ll 

1'   ' 

II 

i 

52 


CatJioUcity  771  Ike   Untied  Stales. 


and  discuss  well.  To  sound  reasorinc^  they  yield  fi'anklj. 
(2.)  Our  M-ritings.  [  do  not  allude  to  Holy  Scripture  only, 
but  to  oi'dinary  writings.  By  this  aigument  v;c  silenced 
their  false  prophets,  or  rather  cliarlatans.  They  have  neither 
books  nor  writings  of  any  kind.  And,  when  they  told  us 
tlicir  fables  of  the  creation  of  the  world  and  the  deluge — of 
which  they  have  some  confused  ideas — and  of  the  spirit- 
land,  we  asked  them :  Who  told  you  this?  They  replied, 
'Our  ar.?estors.'  'But,'  we  retorted,  'your  ancestors  were 
men  like  yourselves,  ]iars  like  you,  who  often  exaggerate 
and  alter  facts  which  you  relate,  and  freqncntly  invent  and 
falsify — how  can  we  safely  believe  you  ?  While  we,'  we 
added,  '  bear  with  us  irrefutable  testimony  of  what  we  say, 
namely,  the  Scriptures,  which  are  the  word  of  God,  who 
lieth  not.  Writing  does  not  change  and  vary  like  the  voice 
of  man — almost  by  his  very  natui'e  a  liar.'  And  after  ad- 
miring the  excellence  of  writing,  an  art  which  we  esteem  too 
lightly  from  its  commonness,  our  Indians  realized  the  truth 
of  the  Divine  Oracles,  which  we  showed  them  written  in 
the  sacred  books,  dictated  by  God  himself,  whose  conmiand- 
nients,  threats,  and  promises  we  read  to  them.  Often  the 
simple  and  artless  narrative  of  the  divine  judgment  and  of 
the  pains  of  hell  prepared  for  the  guilty,  filled  them  witli 
fear  and  tremblinix.'' 

But  it  was  from  their  own  persons  that  the  Catholic  mis- 
sionaries drew  one  of  their  strongest  arguments.  These  re- 
ligious pioneers  suggested  that  surely  there  was  some  truth 
m  that  for  Avhich  thev  had  left  behind  them  homes  and 
kindred,  labored  and  suffered,  and  all  without  any  hope  of 
earthly  reward.  This  they  did  in  all  humility,  and  in  imi- 
tation of  tlie  Great  St.  Paul.  And  to  the  simple  Indian  in- 
tellect, this  bright  example  of  unselfisli  heroism  in  the  hlach 
Q'ohe  was  most  powerful  in  compelling  respect — in  produc- 
ing conviction — in  touching  the  savage  heart !  The  red 
man,  with  all  his  eccentricities,  was  not  slow  in  perceiving 
that  the  religion  which  produced  such  apostles  must  be  di- 
vine. 


ill 


The  India7is  and  their  Apostles, 


53 


fi-ankly. 
ire  only. 
silence(l 
3  neither 
told  lis 
iig'e — of 
e  spirit- 
replied, 
)rs  were 
aggerato 
r-ent  and 
we,'  we 


we  say, 
od,  who 
he  voice 
iter  ad- 
;eein  too 
he  truth 
ritten  in 
nmiand- 
ften  the 
and  of 

in  with 

)lic  mis- 
lese  re- 
le  truth 
ines  and 
hope  of 
in  imi- 
(lian  iii- 
blach 
prodiic- 
'lio  red 
ceivin*^ 
it  be  di- 


MISSIONARY    UEROISM   AND   INDIAN   WICKEDNESS. 

Like  most  other  subjects,  there  were  two  sides  to  the  In- 
dian missions— a  bright  and  a  dark  one.  What  we  liave 
t.aid  may  serve  as  a  glimpse  at  the  brighter  one.  To  the 
i.icture,  however,  there  was  a  dark,  dark  side,  which  it  is 
itainfulto  look  upon.  On  examining  closely  the  rude  and 
duskv  society  of  those  early  times,  Ave  are  shocked  at  the  im- 
morality, ignorance,  wickedness,  and  fiendish  cruelty  of  the 
Indians.  The  many  narratives  of  the  dreadful  sufferings  of 
nn'ssionary  heroes  fairly  freeze  the  blood  ;  while  their  un- 
selfish and  lofty  lives  command  the  homage  of  admiration. 
'^  The  field,"  writes  Dr.  J.  G.  Shea,  "  was  one  as  yet  un- 
matched for  difhculty.  Pure,  unmixed  devil-worship  pre- 
vailed. Polygamy  existed.  Lust  was  unchecked  even  by 
the  laws  of  nature,  and  every  excess  prevailed.  The  coun- 
trv  itself  presented  a  thousand  obstacles  ;  there  was  danger 
from  flood,  danger  from  Avild  beasts,  danger  from  the  roving 
savage,  danger  from  false  friends,  danger  from  the  furious 
rapids  on  rivers,  danger  of  loss  of  sight,  of  health,  of  use  of 
motion  and  of  limbs  in  the  new,  strange  life  of  an  Indian 
wiiTwam.  Here  a  missionarv  is  frozen  to  death,  there  an- 
other  sinks  beneath  the  heat  of  a  Western  prairie ;  here 
Breheuf  is  killed  by  the  enemies  of  his  flock,  and  Segura  by 
an  apostate ;  Dennis  and  Menard  die  in  the  wilderness ;  Dol- 
hcau  is  blown  up  at  sea  ;  ISToyrot  wrecked  on  the  shore ;  but 
tliese  dangers  never  deterred  the  missionary. 

'"  Once  established  in  a  tribe,  the  difficultie  -  were  increased. 
After  months,  nay,  after  years  of  teaching,  the  missionaries 
found  that  the  fickle  savage  was  easily  led  astray ;  never 
could  tliey  form  pupils  to  our  life  and  manners.  The  nine- 
teenth century  failed  as  the  seventeenth  failed  in  raising  up 
priests  from  among  the  Iroquois  or  the  Algonquin  ;  and  at 
this  day  a  pupil  of  the  Poman  Propaganda,  who  disputed  in 
Latin,  on  theses  of  Peter  Lombard,  roams  at  the  head  of  a 
hiilf-naked  band  in  the  billowy  plains  of  Ts^ebraska."  ^^' 

♦  "  The  History  of  rtatholic  Missions." 


11 


Wf9 

i 


mm 


iHI 


54 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


MISSIONARY    EXPEDITIONS. 


"The  journeys  to  the  distant  missions  were  always  long- 
often  nearly  two  tliousand  miles — and  required  an  extra- 
ordinary share  of  moral  courage  and  physical  strength  to 
accomplish  them.  Speaking  of  tlie  country  around  Green 
Bay,  in  Wisconsin,  Father  Dablon,  S.  J.,  styled  it  an  earthly 
paradise ;  "  but,"  he  adds,  "  the  way  to  it  is  as  hard  as  the 
jKith  to  Ilea'cenP  Brebeuf  in  going  from  Quebec  to  the 
Huron  mission  on  Georgian  Bay — a  distance  of  about  one 
thousand  miles — counted  thirty-five  canoe  portages,  that  is, 
landings,  across  which  they  had  to  carry  their  canoes.  At 
nearly  all  these  poitages  they  were  obliged  to  wade  through 
water,  getting  tlieir  feet  both  wet  and  torn.  They  had  also 
to  carry  their  baggage,  often  lightened  by  Indian  thiev- 
ishness.  Add  to  all  this,  the  severe  labor  of  paddling— for 
they  had  "  to  paddle  their  own  canoes  " — and  we  may  well 
conclude  that  a  journey  to  the  missions  was  no  pleasure  ex- 
cursion. "  Our  canoe,"  writes  the  aged  Franciscan  Membrc, 
*'  often  failed  us  and  leaked  on  all  sides.  xVfter  some  days 
we  had  to  leave  it  in  the  woods,  and  make  the  rest  of  our 
journey  by  land,  walking  barefooted  over  the  snow  and  ice. 
I  made  shoes  for  my  companion  and  myself  out  of  a  coat. 
As  we  had  no  compass,  we  frequently  got  lost,  and  found 
ourselves  in  the  evening  where  we  had  started  in  the  morn- 
ing, with  no  other  food  than  acorns  and  little  roots."* 

WINTER   TRIALS   OF   THE   BLACKGOWNS. 

In  many  cases,  the  winter  trials  of  the  missionary  among 
the  wilds  of  Canada,  or  the  forests  of  the  West,  fairly  baffle 
description.  Father  Andre  spent  a  winter  among  the 
Nipissings  of  Canada.  "  The  staple  of  his  diet,"  writes 
J^arkman,  ''  was  acorns  and  tripe  de  roche — a  species  of 
licnen,  which,  being  boiled,  resolves  itself  into  a  black  glue, 
nauseous,  but  not  devoid  of  nourishment.  At  times  he  was 
reduced  to  moss,  the  bark  of  trees,  or  moccasins  and  old 


moos 

dianf 

ahvaj 

retur 

zeal.' 

bent 

He 

cense 

their 

treal 

The 


♦  "  Narrative  of  La  Salle's  Exi)cdition." 


li  A 


The  Indians  and  their  Apostles, 


55 


hroiigh 


moose-skins  cut  into  strips  and  boiled.  Ills  hosts  (the  In- 
dians) treated  him  very  ill,  amd  the  worst  of  their  fare  was 
always  his  portion.  AVhen  spring  came  to  his  relief,  he 
returned  to  his  post,  with  impaired  digestion,  but  unabated 
zeal."*  In  the  winter  of  1671,  Father  Allouez  zealously 
bent  his  steps  towards  the  Foxes  of  Green  Bay,  Wisconsin. 
He  found  them  "  in  extreme  ill  humor.  They  were  in- 
censed against  the  French  by  the  ill  usage  which  some  of 
their  tribe  had  lately  met  when  on  a  trading  visit  to  Mon- 
treal ;  and  they  received  the  faith  with  shouts  of  derision. 
The  priest  was  horror-stricken  at  what  he  saw.  Their 
lodges — each  containing  from  five  to  ten  families — seemed 
in  his  eyes  like  seraglios,  for  some  of  the  chiefs  had  eight 
wives.  He  armed  himself  with  patience,  and  at  length 
gained  a  hearing.  Nay,  he  succeeded  so  well  that  when  he 
showed  them  his  crucifix  they  would  throw  tobacco  on  it  as 
an  offering  ;  and  on  another  visit  wdiich  he  made  soon  after, 
he  taught  the  whole  village  to  make  the  sign  of  the  cross. 
A  war  party  was  going  out  against  their  enemies,  and  he 
bethought  himself  of  telling  them  the  story  of  the  cross  and 
tlio  Emperor  Coustantine.  This  so  wrought  upon  them 
that  thoy  all  daubed  the  sign  of  the  cross  on  their  shields  of 
hull-hide,  set  out  for  the  war,  and  came  back  victorious, 
extolling  the  sacred  symbol  as  a  great  war  medicine  \  "-I- 


FATUEE   LE   .flilUNE   STUDYING   ALGONQIJTX. 

Father  Paul  Le  Jeune  was  one  of  the  first  Jesuits  who 
came  to  Canada.  His  duties  as  supeiior  prevented  his  going 
on  the  mission  among  the  Indians,  and  he  was  obliged  to 
learn  their  language,  as  best  he  could,  in  his  room.  To 
assist  him  in  his  daily  lessons,  he  engaged  the  services  of  an 
Algonquin  named  Pierre.  "  Seated  on  wooden  stools  by 
tlic  roudi  table  in  the  refectory,  the  priest  and  the  Indian 
pursued   their  studies.     'How   thankful  I   am,' writes  Le 


*  "  DIscovory  of  the  Groat  West." 
I  ''The  Jesuit^'  ia  North  xXmcricu." 


Iff 


i  .  h 


'1 


"  ''i'i^;  ■ 


■I         :  '-I,, 


56 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


Jeune,  '  to  those  who  gave  me  tobacco  last  year  !  At  every 
difficulty  I  give  my  master  a  piece  of  it  to  make  him  more 
attentive.'  "*  Tlie  worthy  Jesuit,  desirous  of  familiarizing 
himself  with  their  customs,  language,  and  mode  of  life, 
determined,  after  some  time,  to  spend  a  portion  of  the  winter 
among  the  eav^ages  of  Quebec.  He  roamed  with  them  for 
several  months,  being  badly  treated,  half-starved,  almost 
frozen,  and  fortunate  in  getting  back  with  his  head  safely 
seated  on  his  shoulders. 

INDIAN    MAGIC. 

A  medicine-man,  or  conjurer — always  a  dangerous  char- 
acter— was  his  most  inveterate  enemy.  The  dusky  ruffian 
falling  sick  soon  gave  the  good  Father  an  opportunity  of 
leaiTiing  the  details  of  one  of  those  hellish  performances — 
the  Indian  charm,  or  incantation  by  which  a  distant  enemy 
was  murdered.  The  conjurer  attributed  his  illness  to  the 
malice  and  charms  of  a  rival  who  lived  three  hundred  miles 
awav.  But  he  would  be  reven<z:ed  !  He  would  hurl  even  at 
that  distance  a  counter  incantation  !  And  the  day  for  the 
performance  was  iixed.  A  wigwam  being  cleared  of  all  the 
children,  a  number  of  Indians  sat  around  in  a  circle,  and  the 
charm  was  brought  in.  It  consisted  of  "  a  few  small  pieces 
of  wood,  some  arrow-heads,  a  broken  knife,  and  an  iron  hook, 
all  wrapped  in  a  piece  of  hide."  A  hole  was  dug  by  the 
conjurer,  while  the  circular  assembly  liowled  and  dnimmed 
like  devils.  The  charm  being  carefully  tied  in  the  piece 
of  hide,  was  thrown  into  the  hole.  Tiiis  done,  "  a  sword  and 
a  knife  were  brought  to  the  sorcerer,  who  seizing  tlroni, 
lea])ed  into  the  hole,  and  with  furious  gestures,  hacked 
and  stabbed  at  the  charm,  yelling  with  the  whole  force  of 
his  lungs.  At  length  he  ceased,  displayed  the  knife  and 
sword  stained  with  blood,  proclaimed  that  he  had  mcrtally 
wounded  his  enemy,  and  demanded  if  none  present  had 
heard  his  death-cry."*     AVith  such  a  din  as  was  kept  up, 


*  "  The  Jesuits  in  North  America." 


:llliif 


The  Indians  and  their  Apostles. 


57 


t  every 
n  more 
icarizino: 
of  life, 
)  winter 
lem  for 
almost 
1  safely 


us  char- 
;•  ruffian 
Linity  of 
lances — 
fc  enemy 
;s  to  the 
id  miles 
[  even  at 
'  for  tbe 
f  all  the 

and  the 
11  pieces 
m  hook, 
;  by  the 
slimmed 
tie  piece 
•rord  and 
g  tlTCin, 
,  hacked 

force  of 
[life  and 
mortally 
sent  had 
kept  np, 


hearing  was  a  difficult  matter,  hut  two  young  hrave-^'  said 
they  heard  a  "faint  scream."  K  yell  of  triumph  burst 
forth,  and  each  went  about  his  business. 

"•  Kot  ten  priests  in  a  hundred,"  wrote  Le  Jeune  to  Paris, 
"  could  bear  this  winter  life  among  the  savages." 

THE    SHADOWS    OF    INDIAN    LIFE. 

The  very  nature  of  Indian  life  and  superstition  was 
a  great  obstacle  to  the  progress  of  the  Gospel.  Their  villages 
swarmed  with  sorcerers  and  medicine-men.  Magic  was 
resorted  to  whether  they  wished  to  cure  diseases,  or  kill 
enemies.  Their  iaimoral  sports,  lewd  dances,  and  hoggish 
feasts  had  to  be  destroyed  before  the  first  stone  of  the 
Christian  foundation  could  be  firmly  laid.  Father  Erebeuf, 
vS.J.,  tells  us  of  an  Indian  feast  in  1635,  in  which  thirty 
kettles  were  on  the  fire,  twenty  deer  and  four  bears  being 
served.  The  invitation  to  these  occasional  enormous  feasts 
was  simply,  "  Come  and  eat."  To  refuse  was  to  insult. 
Each  on  entering  the  wigwam  of  the  host,  greeted  tlie 
assembled  guests  by  saying,  "IIo!"  Competitions  were 
often  the  order  of  the  day  at  such  eating  performances. 
"  Prizes  of  tobacco,"  says  Parkman,  "  were  offered  to  the 
most  rapid  feeder,  and  the  spectacle  then  became  truly 
porcine 


t" 


THE    PKIEST8     SUSPECTED    OF    BEING    MAGICIANS. 

To  represent  himself  in  his  proper  cliaracter  to  this  sen- 
sual, superstitious  race  was  not  the  least  of  the  difficulties 
which  the  missionary  had  to  encounte".  Often  he  was  hated 
and  persecuted  as  a  sort  of  siiperior  medicine-man,  who  had 
evil  designs  in  visiting  the  Indians.  The  presence  of  the 
"mysterious  strangers  garbed  in  black"  aroused  fear  and 
suspicion.  They  were  narrowly  watched.  Their  lives  were 
in  constant  peril.  They  were  generally  held  accountable  for 
all  the  misfortunes  that  befell  the  village  in  which  they  had 
co?ne  to  make  their  abode.  Sickness,  small-pox,  bad  crops, 
defeat— .all  were  laid  to  the  chp.rge  of  the  priests!     Their 


!'»? 


;8 


Catholicity  in  the   United  States. 


!l.,: 


i 


I'  i         *' 


clock,  beads,  cruciiixcs,  Ijreviarios,  were  in  turn  suspected  of 
being  charms  for  the  destruction  of  the  red  man.  Many  of 
the  tribes  came  to  regard  baptism  with  horror  as  a  deadly  in- 
cantation. Fatlier  L^iblon,  S.J.,  had  a  littlebox  in  which  he 
carried  his  stationery.  It  was  serionsly  tliouglit  to  be  nsed 
for  the  pnrpose  of  liolding  the  souls  of  dead  Indians,  which 
he  bore  away,  and  toraiented  for  his  amusement ! 

In  short,  as  Parkman  writes,  "  the  Indians  thought  the 
missionaries  mighty  magicians,  masters  of  life  and  death ; 
and  they  came  to  them  for  s])ells — sometimes  to  destroy  their 
enemies,  and  sometimes  to  kill  grasshoppers ! "  It  took 
years  of  instruction  and  sublime  example  to  eradicate  this 
false  and  ridiculous  impression  from  the  crude,  savage  mind. 

When  the  missionaries  lirst  entered  a  village,  months,  even 
years,  of  apostolic  toil  were  frequently  passed  without  mak- 
ing a  single  real  convert — the  baptism  of  a  few  dying  infants 
being  the  only  apjiarent  result.  Even  in  tliis  case  the  greatest 
prudence  and  caution  had  to  be  observed.  Most  of  the 
pagan  Indians,  as  was  before  remarked,  looked  upon  baptism 
as  a  charm  for  the  destruction  of  the  children.  The  sacred 
ceremony  had  to  be  performed  without  attracting  attention. 
Often,  while  giving  the  little  sufferer  a  piece  of  sugar,  the 
man  of  God  would  make  it  a  Christian.  "  Or,  while  appar- 
ently fanning  the  heated  brow,  the  priest  touched  it  with  a 
corner  of  his  handkerchief — previously  dipped  in  water — 
murmured  the  baptismal  words  with  motionless  lips,  and 
snatched  another  soul  from  the  fanirsof  the  infernal  wolf."* 
Heaven  was  opened,  and  the  little  savage  became  a  little 
seraph !  The  missionary  was  comforted  and  delighted.  He 
had  gained  a  s(ml  for  God — a  greater  achievement  than  the 
conquest  of  an  empire. 

This  spiritual  conquest  always  began  among  the  little  ones 
— for  "  of  such  are  the  kingdom  of  Heaven" — gradually 
extending  its  course  to  youth,  manhood,  and  age.  The  young 
mind  was  a  soil  where  tares  had  not  yet  grown,  and  there 


w  ti 


The  Jesuits  in  North  America. " 


iiiir';:  1 


The  Indians  and  their  Apostles. 


59 


the 


the  Jesuit  first  sowed  the  good  seed.  At  the  sound  of  tlie 
Itell,  writes  Parkinan  of  Father  Le  Jeune,  "a  score  of 
children  wouUl  gather  around  liim,  and  he  leading  them  into 
the  refectory,  which  served  as  his  school-room,  taught  them 
to  repeat  after  him  the  Pater ^  Ave,  and  Credo,  expounded 
the  mystery  of  the  Trinity,  showed  them  the  sign  of  the 
cross,  and  made  them  repeat  an  Indian  prayer ;  then  followed 
the  catechism,  the  lesson  closing  with  singing  the  Pater 
Xoster,  translated  by  the  missionary  into  Algonquin 
i-hvmcs ;  and  when  all  was  over,  ho  rewarded  each  of  his 
pupils  with  a  porringer  of  peas  to  secure  his  attendance  at 
next  hell-ringing."  This  is  l)ut  a  sample  of  what  took  place 
in  all  the  Jesuit  missions.  The  holy  germ  of  Christianity 
soon  took  root  in  the  simple,  childish  mind.  The  young 
idea  Avas  happily  taught  how  to  shoot.  Often,  the  good 
I'athcrs  "  with  amusement  and  delight,  saw  the  children 
gathered  in  groups  about  the  village,  vying  with  each  other 
ill  making  the  sign  of  the  cross,  or  in  repeating  the  rhymes 
they  had  learned."  The  catechism  exercise,  however,  was 
fre([uently  an  occasion  of  insult  both  for  the  master  and  his 
]tnpils.  They  were  often  "made  the  targets  of  a  shower  of 
sticks,  snow-balls,  corn-cobs,  and  other  rubbish  flung  at  them 
by  a  screeching  rabble  of  vagabond  boys." 


ODDITY    OF    THE    INDIAN   ISIIND. 


In  the  fickleness  and  oddity  of  the  Indian  intellect,  the 
Jesuits  and  other  Catholic  missionaries  found  a  subject 
of  grief  and  deep  study.  Something  more  than  a  pro- 
found knowledge  of  mental  philosophy  was  necessary  in  this 
case.  "We  must,"  says  Father  Marquette,  S.  J., ''  have  patience 
with  untutored  minds,  who  know  only  the  devil.  *  *  * 
God  alone  can  fix  these  fickle  savages,  place  and  keep  them 
in  His  grace,  and  t(nich  their  hearts  while  we  stammer  at 
their  ears."  The  Franciscan  Membre  is  still  more  severe 
on  them.  "  With  regard  to  conversions,"  he  writes,  "  I  can- 
not rely  on  any.     There  is  in  these  savages  so  bnital  and 


fi 


H\ 


■ 

J! 

(  '  ■  III 

I  '-1,1 

'ill 


60 


CatJiolicily  in  tJic  United  States. 


narrow  a  mind,  such  corrupt  ami  anti-Christian  morals,  tliat 
great  time  would  be  needed  to  hope  for  any  fruit." 

To  cc>?irmc'e  the  Indian  was  comparatively  easy;  but  to 
convert  him  was  a  long  and  most  difficult  task.  "  This  was 
in  good  measure  due  to  peculiarities  of  Indian  character. 
This  intractable  race  were  in  certain  external  respects  the 
most  pliant  and  complaisant  of  mankind.  The  missiimaiies 
were  charmed  by  the  docile  acquiescence  with  which  their 
dogmas  were  received  ;  but  they  soon  discovered  that  their 
facile  auditors  neither  believed  nor  understood  that  to  which 
they  had  so  promptly  assented.  They  assented  from  a  kind 
of  courtesy,  which,  wliile  it  vexed  the  ])riests,  tended  greatly 
to  keep  the  Indians  in  mutual  accord."  *  Such  was  the  red 
man  socially — such  the  chief  cause  of  the  singular  harmony 
which  was  maintained  in  an  Indian  village,  or  between  mem- 
bers of  the  same  tribe. 

Besides,  when  convinced  of  the  truth  and  beauty  of  Chris- 
tianity, they  denied  its  usefulness  for  the  Indian.  "  It  is 
good  for  the  Fi-ench,"  they  would  say,  "  but  we  are  another 
people,  with  different  customs."  ' 

"  Your  Heaven  is  a  good  place  for  Frenchmen,"  exclaimed 
an  old  chief,  "  but  I  wish  to  be  among  the  Indians." 

Said  Brebeuf  to  a  dying  squaw  :  "  Which  will  you  choose, 
Heaven  or  Hell  ? "  "  Hell,"  replied  the  woman,  "  if  my 
children  are  there." 

"  Do  they  hunt  in  Heaven,"  said  a  sick  warrior  to  a  Jesuit 
Father,  "  or  make  war,  or  go  to  feasts  ?  "  "  Oh,  no  !  "  re- 
turned the  priest.  "  Then,"  continued  his  dusky  questioner, 
"  I  will  not  go." 

"  Have  they  any  tobacco  in  Heaven  ?  "  demanded  an  aged 
Huron  of  a  missionary.  He  was  answered  in  the  negative. 
"Then,"  said  the  unspiritual  old  man,  "I  no  want  to  go 
there ! " 

Such  was  the  pitiful  ignorance  of  the  American  Indian 
without  the  light  of  faith. 


Parkman. 


The  Indians  and  their  Apostles, 


6i 


CIIARACTElt    OF    THE    TAG  AN     INDIANS 

Al'OHTLEri. 


AND   TIIEIK     CATHOLIC 


From  the  foi'c'f:,oiiiij^  f,^lanc'es  at  savage  life  and  (nistoms, 
Ave  can  casilv  conclude  that  before  enli'diteiied  by  Catholic- 
itj  and  elc\ated  by  its  sublime  doctrines  and  holy  i)ractices, 
there  was  little  in  tlie  character  of  the  ])rimitivc  Indian  to 
excite  our  admiration.  What  could  be  ex])ected  from  a  race 
anioiifj  whom  "  scalps  torn  from  prostrate  foes  were  the  oidy 
mark  of  rank  \ "  If  they  were  somewhat  sharp  in  intellect, 
tliey  were  singulai-ly  narrow  and  superstitious.  To  the 
Indian,  the  simplest  laws  of  nature  were  as  sealed  mysteries. 
Manitous  did  all. 

Yet  I  will  not  hide  the  good  qualities  of  the  savage 
Indian,  for  he  was  not  destitute  of  some.  Father  CUiaumonot, 
S.  J.,  assures  us  that  the  generality  of  the  Indians  surpassed 
in  intelligence  the  peasantry  of  France."  Another  Jesuit 
tells  us  they  had  "  thoughts  worthy  of  Greeks  and  Romans." 
They  were  very  hospitable.  Of  poetic  and  imaginative  tem- 
perament, the  simple  eloquence  of  the  Indian  often  burst 
forth,  clothed  in  words  of  great  dignity  and  beauty  of  ex- 
pression.f  "  If  they  had  the  vices  of  savage  life,"  writes 
fc^tory,  "  they  had  also  its  virtues.  They  were  true  to  their 
country,  their  friends,  and  their  homes.  If  they  forgave 
not  injury,  neither  did  they  forget  kindness.  If  their  ven- 
geance was  terrible,  their  fidelity  and  generosity  were  also 
unconquerable.  Their  love,  like  their  hate,  stopped  not  on 
this  side  of  the  grave." 

As  to  the  apostles  of  the  Indians,  uo  words  can  ever  do 
justice  to  the  heroism  of  their  characters — the  sublimity  of 
their  lives.  They  toiled  with  patience  and  fearless  energy. 
Joyfully  they  labored,  joyfully  they  sacrificed  all  that  is 
dear  to  man  here  below.  The  Franciscan,  the  Dominican, 
the  Jesuit,  the  secular  priest,  each  travelled  the  narrow  and 
thorny  way  of  the  Indian  missions.     And  in  America,  as 


*  Chaumonot  was  himself  a  Frenchman. 

t  Applcton's  American  Cydopcedia,  edition  of  1875. 


T^ 


62  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

in  Europe,  "the  blood  of  martyrs  was  the  seed  of   tlie 
Church."  * 

If  any  should  have  the  place  of  honor,  it  is  certainly  tlio 
Jesuita.  "  While  laboring,"  writes  the  Protestant  l*ark- 
nuin,  "  at  the  "svork  of  convernion  with  an  energy  never  sur- 
passed, and  battling  against  the  powers  of  darkness  with  the 
mettle  of  Paladins,  the  Jesuits  never  had  the  folly  to  as- 
sume  towards  the  Indians  a  dictatorial  or  overbeaiing  tone. 
Gentleness,  kindness,  and  patience  were  the  rule  of  their  in- 
tercourse." The  foot-prints  of  these  immortal  sons  of  Igna- 
tius nmst  be  as  enduring  as  America  itself.  They  hesitated 
not.  They  flinched  not.  For  them  death  had  no  terrors. 
And  as  the  peaks  of  the  liocky  Moimtains  rise  far  above 
other  elevations  in  our  country,  so  the  flguros  of  the  early 
Jesuits  in  North  America  tower  aloft  in  the  iirst  ages  of  our 
stirring  and  romantic  history. 


♦  Plures  efficimur,  quoties  metimur  a  volts ;  semen  est  sanguis 
Christianorum.    Turtullian. 


h'i 


PATIIKll  JOHN  1>E  UUE13EUF,  S.J., 
'llic  Aj^osth  of  the  Ilurons. 

"That  moti  extraordinary  inan,  the  ApoHtIo  of  the  Ilurons,  the  Xavlor  of  North 
America."    Akchbisuop  Si'Ai.niNO. 

Tli()ii;<li  tho  biogrui)liy  of  Father  John  do  Brcbouf  is  not  found 
in  Butlor's  Lices  of  the  tSaintu,  yet  wo  sonrch  in  vain  ihrou^'h 
tliftt  excellent  work  for  anythinjjr  to  surpass  it  in  subliine  in- 
terest. In  liis  towering  llgure,  iron  frame,  and  supernatural 
j.'-ifts  he  reseinhled  St.  ( Joluinba  ;  while  his  lion-heart  and 
martyr-spirit  would  do  honor  to  St.  J^awreneo.  llo  waH  tho 
prineo  of  Indian  missionaries — the  greatest  of  tho  American 

•Jesuit'. 

.loim  do  lirebeuf  was  born  in  France,  on  the  25th  of  March, 
l.")li;5.  He  belonged  to  a  noble  liouse  that  gave  Normandy  many 
a  brave  soldier  and  fearless  knight.  In  his  twenty-fiftli  year  tho 
gifted  young  man  entered  tlie  Society  of  Jesus  ;  and  such  was 
his  liuuiility  that  ho  requested  to  be  admitted  os  a  simple  lay 
i)n)ther.  One  of  the  pioneer  band  of  Jesuits  sent  to  Canada, 
he  landed  beneath  the  bold  cliffs  of  Quebec  in  1025.  Tho  win- 
ter of  that  and  tlio  following  year  lio  spent  as  a  sort  of  appren- 
ticeship, wandering  in  tho  neighboring  ^voods  and  mountains 
among  the  savages.  Fatigue,  disgust,  hunger,  thirst,  and  in- 
tense cold  are  but  tamo  expressions  when  applied  to  wliat  lio 
endured. 

In  tlio  spring  of  1G2G,  in  company  with  a  few  Franciscans 
and  some  Indians,  Father  Brebeuf  j)enetrated  through  tlio  wil- 
derness to  the  Huron  country,  on  the  shores  of  Georgian  Bay — 
a  join-ney  of  over  one  thousand  miles. 

Here  a  mission  had  been  commenced  about  ten  years  previ- 
ously by  the  "  unambitious  "  Le  Caron,*  as  Bancroft  styles  him. 
The  work  of  evangelizing  tho  Ilurons  progressed  slowly,  and  his 
<(>lloagnes  retiring,  tho  fearle.-s  Father  Brebeuf  was  left  alone. 
He  was  nine  hundred  miles  from  a  fellow  Christian  ;  but  ho 
tolled  on  as  pen  cannot  picture.  Living  amongst  the  Indians, 
he  beeaino  one  of  thorn.  They  gave  him  tho  name  of  BfJioii.  In 
short,  he  was  all  to  all  that  ho  might  gain  all  to  Christ.  Tho 
good  eifect  of  his  untiring  toils  and  instructions  began  to  tell  on 


*  Lc  Caron  was  a  Franciacati. 


(r,3) 


ii    '    ;■:■■  '  ■ 

■    mi 

i^li! 


i'tit 


■.\ii 

w 

■.") 

■J  ' 

64 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


the  multitudo  of  wild  men,  when  an  unhappy  event  occurred — 
Fngland  obtained  temporary  possession  of  Canada.  Made 
l-)risoners,  Father  I3rebeuf  and  liis  colleagues  were  sent  to  Grt.'at 
Britain,  wlienco,  after  some  time,  tliey  were  allowed  to  proceed 
to  France.  Here  he  Uved  among  his  religious  bretiiren  with  the 
simplicity  of  a  little  chid.  The  tliorny  way  of  the  Indian  mis- 
sions had  but  advanced  him  on  the  royal  road  of  the  cro.>s. 

In  a  few  years,  i'rance  regained  possession  of  Canad.i,  aiidthe 
cassock  of  the  Jesuit  might  oace  more  bo  seen  on  the  rude 
streets  of  Quebec.  The  ajjostle  of  the  Hurons  was  again  on  the 
banks  of  the  St.  Lawrence.  In  July,  1G33,  one  hundred  and 
forty  canoes  v.-ere  pulled  ashore  at  the  warehouses  of  Quebec. 
Over  six  hundred  Huron  warriors  and  chiefs  had  come  on  their 
annual  trading  expedition.  Ih'eliminary  arrangements  past,  a 
council  was  held  in  the  fort.  French  officers,  Jesuit  Fathers, 
and  Indian  chiefs  formed  this  singular  assembly.  Its  ol)jeot 
was  to  come  to  an  understanding  with  the  savages  in  regard  to 
sending  three  priests  among  them.  To  Fathers  Brebeiif,  Daniel, 
and  Davost  had  fallen  the  honors,  dangers,  and  Avoes  of  the 
Huron  mission.  Champlain  introduced  the  three  to  the  dusky 
chiefs  and  warriors.  "These  are  our  Fathers,"  said  the  noble 
founder  of  Canada.  "We  love  them  more  than  we  love  our- 
S3lves.  The  whole  French  nation  honors  them.  They  do  not  go 
among  you  for  your  furs.  They  have  left  their  friends  and  their 
country  to  show  you  the  way  to  Heaven.  If  you  love  the 
French — as  you  say  you  love  them — th'^ri  love  and  honor  these 
our  Fathers."  Just  on  the  eve  of  departure  an  accident  i^re- 
vented  the  missionaries  from  proceeding  on  their  toilsome  jour- 
ney. 

Another  year  passed  away  before  the  fleet  of  canoes  came  down 
the  lordly  St.  Lawrence.  The  dusky  traders  in  the  summer  of 
1()34,  landed  their  light  crafts  at  Three  Rivers.  On  their  return 
trip,  Father  Brebeuf  and  his  two  colleagues  set  out  with  them. 
The  distance  was  nine  hundred  miles.  Barefooted,  lest  their 
shoes  should  injure  the  frail  vessel,  each  priest  crouched  in  his 
canoe,  tt)iling  with  unpractieed  hand  to  propel  it.  Before  him, 
week  after  week,  ho  saw  tire  saine  lank,  unkempt  hah-,  the  same 
tawny  slionhh'rs,  and  long,  n»ked  arms  ceasele 'sly  plying  the 
paddle.  T'heir  only  food  was  a  pittance  of  Indian  corn,  crushed 
between  two  stones,  and  mixed  with  water.  The  toil  was  ex- 
treme. Father  lirebeuf  counted  thirty-five  portages  over  which 
\\s\  canoes  had  to  bo  carried.  Besides,  more  than  fifty  times 
tlicy  were  forced  t('>  wade  in  the  n.ging  current,  pushing  up  their 


i 


TJie  hidians  and  t/ieir  /Ipostlcs. 


empty  barks  or  dragging  them  Avith  ropes.  The  apostolic  "Rro- 
bouf  tried  to  do  liis  part,  but  the  boulders  and  sharp  rocks 
wounded  his  naked  feet  and  compelled  liim  to  desist.  With  all 
his  physical  vigor  and  iron  frame,  he  doubted  if  his  strength 
would  sustain  him  to  the  journey's  end.  Often  he  had  no  mo- 
ment to  read  his  breviary  save  by  the  moonlight,  or  the  tire  when 
stretched  on  a  bare  rock  by  some  savage  cataract  of  the  Ottawa.* 

Father  l:}rebeuf  and  his  Huron  companions,  after  thirty  days' 
ceaseless  toll,  landt;d.  Throwing  his  baggage  on  the  ground,  the 
Indians  loft  the  priest  to  his  own  resources.  The  villages  were 
some  twenty  miles  away.  The  Jesuit  knelt,  thanked  God,  and 
shouldering  Ids  burden,  boldly  pushed  on  alone.  Following  a 
gloomy  forest  jiath,  he  entered  a  wild  clearing,  and  saw  before 
him  the  bark  roof  of  Ihonatiria.  A  crowd  ran  out  to  meet  him. 
Tliey  knew  him  well.  "  Echon  has  coiue  again  !  "  "  Echon  has 
come  again  !  "  tli.,y  cried,  recognizing  their  great  teacher  in  the 
stately  figure  robed  in  bladt,  that  advanced  from  the  border  of 
the  forest.  They  led  him  to  the  town,  where  he  was  treated  with 
true  Indian  hospitality.  A  few  days  after  his  two  colleagues 
arrived.  They  could  scarcely  be  recognized.  Half  dead  with 
hunger  and  fatigue,  they  resembled  living  skeletons  more  than 
men.  Father  lirebeuf  and  his  fellow  missionaries  had  now 
reached  their  destination. 

The  ancient  country  of  the  Ilurons  comprised  the  eastern  and 
north-eastern  portion  of  Simcoe  County,  situated  south  of  Geor- 
gian Bay,  Ontario,  Canada.  The  whole  nation  at  that  time 
counted  thirty-two  villages,  with  a  population  of  about  20,000, 
On  the  west  and  soutli-west  of  the  llurons  proper  lay  the  kin- 
dred tribe  of  the  Tobacco  Nation,  so-called  from  their  luxuriant 
fields  of  tobacco.  South  of  both  of  these,  from  Lake  St.  Clair 
t(j  Niagara,  was  the  Neutral  Nation,  which  obtained  its  name 
from  the  neutrality  observed  by  its  people  in  the  long  and  dead- 
ly struggle  between  the  Hurons  and  Iroquois.t  Such  were  tho 
political  divisions  of  Ontario  two  hundred  and  fifty  years  ago. 

After  the  Huron  model  a  house  for  the  blackrobes  was  ei*ected. 
lluiKheds  of  Lidiaas  joined  in  the  work,  and  in  a  few  days  the 
bark  mansion  rose,  a  completed  structure.  Its  divisions  were 
a  store-house,  dwelling-house,  and  chapel.     The  furniture  soon 

*  Piirkinan. 

t  It  i-j  not  now  knon'n  how  this  fierce  feud  originated  becween  tlicpe  kindred 
n  aions.  It  wus  goirg  on  when  the  Frtnch  arrived  in  Canada  ;  and  naturally 
tticy  took  the  side  of  their  neighbors,  the  Rurons.  Hence,  the  long  continued 
bujUlity  of  the  Iroquois  towarda  the  French. 


Tt 


i 


66  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

became  the  wonder  of  the  whole  Huron  country.  Visitors  were 
in  abundance.  Above  all,  it  was  the  clock  that  puzzled  and 
pleased  tlunn.  For  hours  they  would  sit  in  expectant  silenec, 
squatting  on  tlie  ground,  wailing  to  hear  it  strike.  Tliey  tliought 
it  was  alive,  and  asked  what  it  ate.  The  inagnifying-glass,  which 
transformed  a  ilea  into  a  monster,  was  also  viewed  with  mingled 
awe  and  admiration. 

Father  Brebeuf,  as  superior  of  the  mission,  with  Fatheis 
Daniel  and  Davost,  now  began  their  labors.  Their  well-divided 
time  between  toil  and  devotion  has  been  already  noticed.*  The 
Gospel  was  announced  to  all,  but  the  work  of  v  onversion  was 
long  and  difficult.  In  fact,  during  the  first  few  years  no  adults 
were  baptized,  save  those  at  the  point  of  death.  The  experi- 
enced Brebeuf  knew  Indian  nature  well,  and  he  greatly  fjared 
backsliding  ;  hence  his  caution.  Besides,  all  the  savage  vices — 
and  the  llurons  were  corrupt  to  the  core — had  to  bo  erauicated 
ere  Catholicity  could  be  planted.  The  Herculean  toil  of  battling 
against  depravity,  hatreu,  and  open  persecution,  and  of  seeing 
that  neither  young  nor  old  died  without  spiritual  aid — such  was 
the  unceasing  task  of  the  Jesuits.  They  were  frequently  threat- 
ened with  death.  Small-pox  also  ravaged  the  nation  ;  and  in 
the  wild  scenes  of  misery  that  followed,  no  words  can  picture  the 
heroic  toils  of  Father  Brebeuf. 

Nor  was  his  tight  against  disease  and  human  wickedness  only. 
In  every  possible  way  the  powers  of  darkness  assailed  the  great 
priest.  Demons  in  troops  appeared  before  him,  sometimes  in  tic 
guise  of  men,  sometimes  as  bears,  wolves,  or  wild-cats.  He  called 
on  God,  and  .hey  vanished.  Death,  like  a  skeleton,  sometimes 
menaced  him  :  and  once  as  he  faced  it  with  an  unquailing  eye, 
It  fell  pov»erl()ss  at  his  feet.  Angels  also  appeared  to  him  ;  and 
more  than  once  St.  Joseph  and  the  Most  Blessed  Virgin  were 
visibly  present  to  his  sight.  Thus  consoled  and  strengthened 
from  above,  in  vain  did  acciaonts,  enraged  savages,  and  troops 
of  devils  war  against  him. 

"  Go  and  leave  our  country,"  exclaimed  an  old  chief,  "or  wo 
will  put  you  into  the  kettle  and  make  a  feas*-  of  you  !" 

The  heroic  Jesuit  was,  on  one  occasion,  piiralyzed  by  a  fall 
which  broke  his  collar-bone.  Creeping  on  his  hands  and  feet 
along  the  frozen  road,  ho  was  obliged  to  sleep  unsheltered  in  the 
snow,  when  the  very  trees  were  splitting  with  cold  ! 

(iod  at  length  blessed  the  toils  and  sufferings  of  His  fearless 
apostle.     The  stony  hccirts  of  the  Indians  were  touched.   Thou- 

*  8oe  l)age  -i'.).     "  The  Imlian-:  uml  tlu'ir  Apostles." 


(   1 
Ai 


111 

Sr 


T he  Indians  and  ihcir  Apostles. 


67 


^.ind8  came  into  tho  Church.  Ferocious  savages  became  model 
Christians.  Almost  tho  whole  Huron  nation  embraced  the  faith. 
And  Catholicity  nourished  arnoni::  tho  children  of  tho  forest  in 
The  snow-clad  wilderness  of  the  North.  The  cross  towered  abovo 
Lvery  Aillage.  In  INIarch,  IGIO,  there  were  in  tho  Huron  country 
eighteen  Jesuit  Fatliers. 

Some  time  previously.  Father  Br-'beuf  saw  an  immense  cross 
in  the  air.  It  stretched  from  the  Irgtiuois  territory,  even  to 
where  he  stood.  This  ominous  vision  found  its  interpretation 
ill  Ills  glorious  deatli. 

At  tlie  dawn  of  day,  on  the  IHth  of  March,  1G49,  a  force  of  over 
one  tliousand  Iroquois  warriors  appeared  before  the  village  of 
&it.  Louis.  which  were  stationed  the  Apo:-tlo  of  the  Ilurons 
and  I  dh.  r  Lallemant.  About  eighty  brave  Catholic  Ilurons 
prepared  to  defend  the  place.  The  war-wlioop  of  tho  hostile  sav- 
ages shook  tho  very  wigwams,  as  yell  echoed  yell  and  shot  an- 
swered shot.  '  Ti  •  combat  deeijcns— on,  ye  brave!"  In  the 
very  hottest  of  tlie  contest  were  the  holy  and  dauntless  Brobeuf 
aiul  his  gentle  companion,  the  one  in  the  breach  giving  abso- 
lution, tho  other  baptizing  tho  catechumens.  The  fierce,  but 
unequal  sti'-.L.:'  •oon  terminated.  A  yell  of  triumph  announced 
the  victory  «.,?" .  h  •  Iroquois.  The  two  Fathers  w(Te  made  prison- 
ers. stri{)ped  of  their  clothing,  had  their  nails  torn  out  by  the 
roots,  and  were  borne  in  wild  triumph  to  the  village  of  St.  Igna- 
tius, which  had  also  boon  taken  that  morning. 

Hero  they  were  frightfully  beaten  with  clubs.  But  tho  noblo 
brebeuf  thought  only  of  others.  His  eye,  kindling  with  sacred 
fire,  he  thus  addiessed  the  Christian  Ilurons  who  were  his  fellow- 
captives  :  "My  children,  let  us  lift  up  our  eyes  to  Heaven  in 
the  midst  of  our  sufferings.  God  is  a  witness  of  our  torments. 
He  will  soon  bo  our  reward.  Die  in  this  faith.  I  feel  more  for 
you  than  for  myself."  '■'  Echon,''  they  replied,  "  our  hope  shall 
he  in  Heaven.     Fray  for  us." 

l".nrage(l  at  these  words  of  tho  heroic  Jesuit,  the  fiendish  Tro- 
quciis  led  him  apart,  tied  him  to  a  stake,  scorched  him  from 
head  to  foot  to  silence  him  ;  whereupon  in  the  tone  of  a  master 
he  threatened  them  with  evei'lasting  tlames  for  persecuting  tho 
worshippers  of  (Jod.  As  he  continued  to  speak  with  voiee  and 
countciianct'  uncdianged,  they  cut  away  his  lower  lii)  and  thrust 
a  ii  li-iiMt  iron  into  his  mouth.  The  sublime  man  still  h»dd  his 
lofty  farm  erect  and  defiant,  with  no  sign  or  sound  of  pain. 
Maddened  at  their  own  impotence,  th<>  savages  next  hung  around 
his  nock  a  collar  made  of  hatchets  heated  r<>d-hot,  but  the  in- 


\  ell 


.f^ 


r&\ 


u 


1^ 


/(iii; 


I    I: 


J:!M1 


I  'I'll 


68 


CathoUcily  in  the   United  Stales, 


douiitablo  prier-it,  sustniiiod  by  grace,  stood  it  like  a  rock.  Boil- 
ing? water  was  now  poured  on  his  tiead,  but  lie  did  not  flineli  ; 
and  exasperated  beyon<l  bounds,  they  outstrips  of  flesh  from  his 
Uuibs,  and  devoured  them  before  his  very  eyes.  After  a  succes- 
sion of  other  revolting  tortures,  they  scalped  him  ;  and  on  see- 
ing him  nearly  dead,  they  laid  open  his  breast,  and  came  in  a 
crowd  to  drink  the  blood  of  so  valiant  an  enemy,  thinking  to  im- 
bibe with  it  some  portion  of  his  marvellous  courage.  A  chief 
then  tore  out  his  heart  and  devoured  it.*  Thus  died  the  glorious 
John  de  Brebeuf,  the  Apostle  of  tlie  llurons,  and  the  greatest  of 
American  martyrs.  His  death  was  the  astonishment  even  of  his 
inhunmn  murderers.  How  great  must  have  been  the  virt  e,  faith, 
and  heroism  which  enabled  him  to  triumph  over  human  weak- 
ness, and  so  grandly  meet  his  appalling  fate  !  Immortal  man  ! 
master  of  every  virtue,  humble  beyond  expression,  meek  to  ad- 
miration, enduring  unheard-of  toils  and  sufferings  with  joy, 
brave  far  beyond  the  bravest  of  this  world,  illustrious  in  life  and 
sublime  in  death  ! 

Catholicity  alone  can  produce  such  a  Christian  hero.  With 
this  shining  example  before  our  eyes  what  should  toe  fear  ?  The 
sneers  of  the  ignorant,  the  frowns  of  bigots,  the  trifling  diffl- 
culties  met  in  the  practice  of  our  holy  and  beautiful  religion  \ 
Calling  on  God,  let  us  remember  the  glorious  Brebeuf,  and 
though  the  whole  world  were  arrayed  against  us,  we  can  meet 
it  with,  a  calm,  unquailing  eye.t 


*  Parkman. 


+  Tlic  head  of  Father  Brebeuf  is  kopt  at  Quebec  with  great  veneration,  in  a 
bllvor  case.  Father  Lallemant  was  frightfully  tortured,  and  died  the  day  after 
Father  Brebeuf,  March  17th.  Thus  the  soil  of  Ontario,  Canada,  is  bedewed 
by  the  blood  of  four  glorious  martyrs — Brebeuf,  Lallemant,  Daniel,  and  Gar- 
nicr.  By  their  praycr^i  it  is,  we  trust,  destined  to  become  a  great  Catholic 
country.  It  is  now  an  ecclesiastical  province,  comprising  five  dioceses  and  a 
Catholic  population  of  over  300,000.  The  metropolitan.  Most  Rev.  John  Joseph 
Lynch,  Archbishop  of  Toronto,  is  a  prelate,  whose  name  is  sjnionymous  with 
zc.al,  piety,  learning,  and  patriotism. 


:f!i| 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE     KAELY     INDIAN    MISSIONS     IX     THE     UNITED    STATES. 

\.l\     1528— 177G. 

"  Go.  teacli  all  nations." 

—Gospel. 

"  Reli£:ion  1  what  ti-cagurcs  untold 
l{eside  in  that  heavenly  word, 
More  prcuidu;!  than  silver  and  gold, 
Or  all  that  this  earth  can  airord."— Cowpeb. 

THK    MYSTERIOUS     WAYS    OF     GOD  — COr,lTMBUS—  TIIK     FIRST     CATHOLIC 
ClinitCil    IN   AMEIirCA — MANY  MILLIONS  OP  CONVIiKTS— LAS  CASAS— 

THE  SPANISH  Missions,   flouida,  new  Mexico,   texas,  califoh- 

NIA—TIIE   ENGLISH   MISSIONS,    MARYLAND — THE   FRENCH   MISSIONS, 
MAINE,    NEW    YORK — VERMONT — WISCONSIN     AND    MICHIGAN — THE 

Missrssirn  valley—catholicity  and  the  indian — a  compari- 
SON — something  to  ponder. 


*    Hi 


w. 


THE    rmST   standard-beaker    of   the    cross COLUMBUS. 

A  Divine  Hand  gTiitles  the  events  of  time.  Ilistorv,  no 
less  than  the  heavens,  declares  the  glory  of  God.  The  Al- 
mighty's mysterious  ways  may  not  always  he  fathomed  hy 
tlie  ])imy  intellect  of  man  ;  hut  they  ever  have  a  reference  to 
the  s.ilvatioii  of  the  hnman  race.  In  the  diset>very  of 
America  we  can  admire  the  sublime  designs  of  Providence. 
A  people  and  a  vast  continent  were  sitting  in  pagan  dark- 
ness and  the  night  of  barbarism.  By  a  pathles<  ocean  they 
were  sundered  from  the  rest  of  mankind.  The  fulfillment 
of  time  came;  and  the  Gospel  illumined  the  forest- wikls  of 
tlie  Western  Woj-ld,  It  lit  up  the  narrow  path  which  con- 
nects earth  with  Heaven.  For  the  \  •'i.r  IndiuUj  it  opened 
the  way  to  regions  of  imai:)rtal  bliss. 

In    America,  Columbus  was  tht^  lirst  -t.indard-bearcr  of 


the 


cross.     The  conversion  of  the  Indians  wa.s  a  work  dear 


to  his  lieart.     Xor  was  Isabella  the  C'ath(<li<-  less  zealous  for 

r6y) 


i 


i^ 


I 

r  I-    ! 


i    ',-* 


w  ■  ll 


111 


Vv  !■. 


1 

i  \ '% 


III: 

m 

m 


'O 


Catholicily  in  the   United  States. 


tlieir  salvation,  iruviiii^  roturnod  from  liis  first  voyage,  tlic 
discoverer  of  a  now  world  bronglit  six  Indians  to  the  court 
at  Jjarcelona.  After  receiviiii;-  tlie  necessary  instrnctiuii, 
they  were  ha))tized  with  great  cerenKmy,  tlie  good  Queen, 
wilh  a  liolv  jov,  i)erfoi'niini'-  the  oiiice  of  godmother  foi* 
them.  To  tlie  last  day  of  her  life,  she  took  a  maternal  iir 
terost  in  the  welfare  and  happiness  of  all  tlie  natives.  "  She 
ordered,*"  ^vrites  AV^ashington  Irving,  "  that  gi'eat  eareslionld 
be  taken  of  the  religious  instruction  of  the  Indians;  that 
they  should  be  treated  with  the  utmost  kindness;  and 
enjoined  Columbus  to  inflict  signal  punishment  on  all 
Spaniards  who  shoidd  be  guilty  of  outrage  or  injusti(;e  to- 
wards them." 

On  his  second  voyage  Columbus  was  accompanied  hj  the 
first  band  of  missionaries  for  the  New  World.  It  consisted 
of  twelve  priests  and  a  vicar-apostolic,  Itight  Ilev.  1 'ernardo 
Boyle.  "  They  commenced  the  work  of  religion,''  says  a 
learned  writer,  "  by  consecrating  a  chapel  at  Isabella,  in 
Iliiyti,  on  the  feast  of  the  Epiphany,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 

1494.  TUAT  IS  THE  HISTOmCAL  DATE  OF  THE  CatIIOLIC  KE- 
LIGTON    IN    AlMERICA."  "'•' 

After  the  conquest  of  Mexico  by  Cortez,  the  work  of  con- 
version proceeded  with  astonishing  rapidity.  Devoted  priests 
labored  with  apostolic  industry,  and  a  rich  harvest  of  souls 
was  the  cheering  result.  We  learn  from  the  historian,  Tres- 
cott,  that  al)out  the  year  1550,  there  were  many  mil- 
lions of  Christian  Indians  within  the  limits  of  Mexico.  This 
marvellous  change  was  wrought  in  little  more  than  a  quar- 
ter of  a  cfntury ! 

Among  the  iirst  missionaries  of  the  West  Lidies  and 
Mexico  there  Is  no  more  illustrious  name  than  that  of  the 
venerable  Dominican,  Las  Casas.  Landing  on  the  shores  of 
America,  in  1502,  he  labored  zealously  for  over  sixty  years 
in  ameliorating  the  condition  of  the  natives,  and  in  spread- 
ing the  light  of  the  Gospel,     lie  was  a  brave,  fearless  man, 


I'  "fjatholh*  History  of  Amerf^a.' 


TJic  Early  IndiiDi  Missions. 


71 


who  loved  justice  and  hated  iniquity.  To  the  poor  Indian 
he  was  more  than  "a  father  and  a  friend."  In  the  galaxy 
(if  oarlv  C.'atholic  missionary  heroes,  Las  Casas*  shines  a  star 
of  the  first  magnitude. 

The  Indian  missions  within  the  present  limits  of  the 
United  States  will  wow  claim  our  undivided  attention.  They 
naturally  hranch  off  into  the  Spanish,  English,  and  French 
missions. 


I.    THE  SPAjS^ISII  MISSIONS. 

The  Sj)aniards  were  the  pioneer  colonists  and  missionaries 
in  our  country.  All  the  southern  jiortion  of  the  United 
States  from  Florida  to  California  was  once  Spanish  territory. 
"We  will  here  glance  at  the  chief  southern  scenes  of  mission- 
ary toil. 

FLOEIDA. 

Florida  was  the  first  of  our  States  ui)on  which  the  light  of 
( 'hristianity  shone.  From  the  date  of  its  discovery,  in  1512, 
hv  Poncf'deLeon,  expedition  after  expedition  landed  on  the 
shores  of  this  southern  peninsula.  They  were  all  accompa- 
nied by  missionaries  ;  for  in  those  early  Catholic  times,  "  the 
adventurer,  the  soldier,  and  the  priest  always  landed  to- 
gether." Among  those  who  formed  part  of  the  expedition 
of  Xarvacz,  in  1528,  was  the  Eight  Kev.  Jolm  Juarez,  who 
was  a])pointed  by  the  Holy  See,  Bishop  of  Florida.  The 
expedition  reached  Florida  in  April,  1528.  Narvaez  and 
his  men,  accompanied  by  the  prelate  and  2.  few  priests,  be- 
gan their  march  into  the  interior.  Juarez  it  may  be  re- 
niai-ked,  was  \\\^},  first  bishop  who  possessed  jurisdiction,  and 
these  \\\<i fii'<t  missionaries  who  set  foci;  within  our  present 
territory.  Disease,  aided  by  tlic  hostility  of  the  savage 
natives,  made  their  course  one  series  of  disasters.  AVhilc 
crossing  Mobile  Bay  in  a  boat,  the  l)ishop  and  his  com- 
p  ini<»!is  were  nearlv  drowned,  being  saved  only  bv  the  skill 
aii<l  bfaverv  of  yar^■aez.     The  next  dav,  Xarvaez  was  driven 

*  Las  Casa«  died  at  tho  advauoed  ago  of  ninoty-two. 


i 


-I  if  I 


72 


Catholicity  in  the   United  States. 


out  to  sea,  and  never  again  lieard  of.  The  head  of  the  ex- 
pedition heing  gone,  the  party  scattered.  De  Yaca  and  three 
others,  after  four  years  of  slavery,  and  incredible  hard.sliips, 
reached  the  Spanish  post  at  Sonora,  on  the  Pacific.  They 
"  thns  acqnired  the  glory  of  havmg  first  traversed  North 
America  from  cast  to  west." 


ill 


:  illl! 


OITR   FIRST   MAETYllS. 

Bishop  Juarez  and  Brother  John  de  Palos  were  last  seen 
together.  The  time  and  manner  of  their  deaths  are  alike 
unknown.  It  is  suj^posed  they  perished  of  hunger,  or  at  the 
liands  of  the  Indians,  al)out  the  close  of  the  year  1528.  Thus 
the  American  Church  had  its  martyrs  only  thirty-six  ^,  ears 
after  the  discovery  of  the  continent.  They  perished.  But 
the  blood  of  martyrs,  in  the  language  of  the  learned  Tertul- 
lian,  is  the  seed  of  the  Church.  At  this  price  only  can  re- 
ligion and  faith  be  introduced.  The  names  of  Bishop  Juarez 
and  Brother  ^  ohn  de  Palos  shall  ever  be  held  in  grateful 
remembrance.     They  belonged  to  the  Franciscan  order. 

The  heroic  Dominican,  Father  Louis  Cancer,  in  15-i:9 
visited  the  wild  shores  of  Florida,  to  preach  the  Gospel,  or 
to  seal  his  mission  with  his  blood.  lie  had  barely  landed 
when  a  brutal  blow  from  an  Indian  club  stretched  him  life- 
less, exclaiming,  "  Oii !  my  God ! " 

OrR    MOST    ANCIENT   CITY    FOUNDED    BY   A    CATHOLIC. 

In  1065,  Melendez,  one  of  the  greatest  admirals  of  Spain, 
landed  on  the  coast  of  Florida,  and  laid  out  the  plan  of  a 
town.  In  honor  of  the  illustrious  Doctor  of  the  Church, 
whose  festival  occurred  c.bout  the  time,  he  named  it  St. 
Augustine.  This  is  the  oldest  city  in  the  United  States.  In 
it  the  first  church  in  our  country  was  erected  ;  and,  without 
delay,  missionaries  began  to  labor  among  the  dusky  children 
of  the  everglades.  The  Franciscans,  the  Dominicans,  anil 
the  Jesuits  toiled  in  this  new  field  of  souls.  Manv  watered 
its  sterile  soil  with  their  blood.  Not  a  few  of  them  were 
scalped  and  eaten  by  the  savages.     "  These  three  religious 


The  Early  Indian  Missions. 


n 


onlers,"  writes  Dr.  Shea,  ^' bedew  witli  their  purest  l)bo(l 
the  coiintrv  now  embraced  in  the  dioceses  of  Mobile  and 
Savannah.'"'  Christianity  iinally  triumplied,  and  the  wild 
3I()liilian  tiibes  of  Florida  bowed  to  the  cross.  With  relii^n'oii 
came  civilization.  The  Indians  were  instructed  in  reading, 
and  in  the  princii)les  of  agriculture  and  commerce. 

THE   MOXASTEllY    OF    ST.    IIELEXA. 

The  most  celebrated  religious  establishment  of  the  Florida 
missions  was  the  Francis-jan  monastery  of  St.  Helena,  at  St. 
Augustine.  From  this  radiant  centre  the  light  of  ('hristi- 
anitv  ilashed  its  golden  rays  over  the  peninsula.  The  Gos- 
])el  was  preached  even  among  the  Creeks  of  Alabama  and 
the  Clierokees  of  Georgia  and  Carolina.  Among  the  latter 
tribes,  especially,  the  words  of  truth  fell  on  a  rock.  When 
the  saintly  Father  Eoger,  after  months  of  labor  and  patience, 
invited  them  to  embrace  the  faith  and  renounce  the  devil, 
they  exclaimed  :  "  The  devil  is  the  best  fellow  in  the  world. 
We  adore  him.     He  makes  men  brave." 

However,  as  decades  rolled  away  the  solemn  hymns  of 
Catholicity  resounded  through  many  a  mission  chapel  of 
Florida  ;  and  to  thousands  of  red  men  the  portals  of  para- 
dise were  opened. 

A   NEW    AND    DEADLY    FOE. 

But,  at  length,  a  change  came.  England,  recently  turned 
apostate,  was  rapidly  planting  colonies  along  the  Atlantic 
seaboard.  The  deadly  foe  of  Catholicity  and  the  Indian,  w^e 
need  not  be  astonished  to  learn  that  she  aimed  at  the  de- 
struction o"f  both.  Such  was  ever  her  American  policy. 
From  the  English  colony  of  Carolina,  war  was  soon  carried 
into  the  peaceful  Indian  villages  of  Florida.  In  1708,  a 
body  of  fanatics  ravage  I  the  country.  "  The  Indian  towns," 
says  an  able  writer,  "  were  destroyed,  the  missionaries 
slaughtered,  and  their  forest  children  shared  their  fate  ;  or, 
still  more  unfortunate,  were  hurried  away  and  sold  as  slaves 
in  the  English  West  Indies."     In  1703,  by  the  Treaty  of 


!   I 


74 


La  thai  icily  in  the   United  Siatcs. 


iiili; 


Paris,  Spain  coded  Florida  to  Eii<!;l;uid.  "  Tiiis  was  the 
death-blow  of  the  missions.  *  *  *  Tliey  were  destroyed, 
tlie  Indians  dis])ersed;  and  St.  Helena,  the  convent  whence 
(Mn-istianity  had  radiated  over  the  peninsnla,  became  a  bar- 
I'ack  ;  and  snch  is  that  venerable  niona.^tery  iji  our  own  (hy. 
Driven  from  their  villan;es  and  lields  which  the  Kn^ixlisli 
seized,  the  nnha])[)y  natives  of  Florida  were  fon^cd  to  wan- 
der in  the  wilderness  and  resume  the  nomadic  life  of  bar- 
barism, whence  Christianity  had  reclaimed  them."  * 

(Uirsed  by  the  tyranny  of  a  guilty  nation,  deprived  of 
liberty,  the  consolations  of  religion,  and  the  friendship  of 
the  blackrobes,  these  unhappy  sons  of  the  forest  might  well 
exclaim  with  the  young  princes  in  '•'■  3facbeth''\' 

"Let  UvS  seek  sonio  desolate  shade, 
And  there  weep  our  sad  bosoms  empty  !" 

Buried  in  pathless  evei-glades,  without  spiritual  guides, 
the  Florida  Indians  took  the  name  of  Seminoles,  which  in 
their  own  language  means  Wanderers.  Tliey  gradually  lost 
the  faith,  and  became  the  scourge  of  the  wdiites.f 

At  the  date  of  our  revolutionary  war,  not  a  single  mission 
had  escaped  the  destroying  pi'ogress  of  England  ! 

NEW  MEXICO. 

Xew  Mexico,  after  Florida,  was  the  earliest  scene  of 
missionary  labor  in  the  United  States.  In  1542,  Coronado 
led  an  exploring  expedition  from  Mexico,  and  pursued  a 
northerly  course,  finally  reaching  the  central  part  of  the 
present  State  of  Colorado.  He  wa-  accompanied  by  two 
Franciscans,  Father  Padilla  ai\d  Brother  John  of  the  Cross. 
Not  wishing  to  penetrate  further,  and  disappointed,  doubt- 
less, by  non-success,  the  commander  resolved  to  return  to 
Mexico.  AVlien  tlie  expedition  reached  what  is  now  the 
archdiocese  of  Santa  Fe,  the  missionaries  parted  with  Coro- 

*  J.  Cf.  Shea,  LL.D. 

t  "The  Catholic  Oluirch  hi  tlio  Uiiltod  States"  ;  also  McGee. 


MM} 


m 


The  Early  Indian  Missions. 


75 


iiado.  Tlu'v  IkkI  come  to  preacli  tlio(rofij)el,  and  like  valiant 
iiit'ii,  thev  (k'torniint'd,  tlu-n  and'  there,  to  begin  the  p^ood 
work.  Father  Padilla  labored  in  one  Indian  town,  Hrother 
.lulm  in  another.  lUit  the  swift  arrow  and  the  fatal  toma- 
hawk soon  finished  their  heroic  careers.  Heaven  honored 
tliein  with  a  martyr's  crown  ;  and,  for  the  first  time,  the  soil 
of  New  -MexiiM>  was  crimsoned  with  the  blood  of  saints. 
Their  ha]j])y  deaths  occnrrcd  just  Hfty  years  after  the  dis- 
covery (jf  America.  New  Mexico,  it  is  hoped,  will  yet  erect 
their  monument. 


FOUNDATION    OF    TUIO    CITY    OK    SANTA    FE. 

Nearlv  forty  vears  passed  awav  ei-e  another  missionary 
attempt  was  made.  In  1581,  a  new  mission  Avas  erected. 
Three  more  Franciscans  bravely  met  the  cruel  death  which 
quickly  sou<4-ht  them. 

Espego,  a  pious  and  energetic  Spanish  nobleman,  the 
same  year,  at  the  head  of  a  band  of  soldiers  explored  the 
country  near  the  head  waters  of  the  Rio  Granu;,  naming  it 
New  ^[exico.  Here,  in  15S2,  he  founded  the  present  city 
of  Santa  Fe — the  second  oldest  in  the  United  States.  At 
once  the  l^-anciscan  F'athers  were  actively  engaged  in  the 
conversion  of  the  Indians.  Ijut  the  work  was  as  difficult  as 
it  was  dangerous.  Small  were  the  results  in  the  beginning. 
The  blood  of  missionaries  flowed  in  abundance.  At  lenji:th 
the  duskv  savas^e  vielded  to  the  sweet  iiiHuence  of  the 
Gospel  and  the  heroism  of  the  blackrobe.  Whole  tribes 
came  into  the  Church;  and  the  head  waters  of  the  Kio 
Grande  heard  the  fierce  Indians  of  the  plain  chant  the  Te 
Dcum  and  the  Gloria  in  Excelsis.  "  So  rapid  had  been 
the  progress  of  Ghristianity  and  civilization  on  the  Kio 
(irande,'' writes  Dr.  Shea,  "  that  the  Indians  there  could 
read  and  write  before  the  Puritans  were  established  on  the 
shores  of  Xew  England."* 


*  "History  of  the  Catliolic  Missions." 


... 


^'*u 


O.^^  ▼'  „o. 


^N    ^ 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


f/j 


i.O 


I.I 


1.25 


•i^lllM    IIIII2.5 


•''  i«    III  22 
2f   li£    IIIII20 


IIM 


1.6 


V. 


<? 


f*l 


/i 


°% 


o 


/ 


# 


^ 


O 


/ 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WES*  .MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


\ 


iV 


^\^ 


^ 


\ 


A 


A' 


^ 


o^ 


§>  <' 


<^ 


'%^ 


'<^ 


i 


?«!3? 


■■■Ri 


76 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 


':.;  : 


A   SINGULAR   FACT. 


In  connection  with  the  New  Mexican  missions  I  must  not 
omit  to  mention  a  singular  and  supernatural  fact,  which 
rests  on  good  authority.  The  venerable  Mary  of  Jesus,  a 
nun  of  Agreda,  in  Spain,  is  related  to  have  had  a  mysterious 
mission  among  the  Indians  of  New  Mexico.  This  occurred 
in  the  first  quarter  of  the  seventeenth  century.  "The  Sons 
of  St.  Francis,"  says  Rev.  Dr.  White,  "were  then  evangel- 
izing the  Territory  of  New  Mexico,  and  Father  Benavides, 
superior  of  the  mission,  was  applied  to  by  a  distant  tribe  of 
Indians,  who  had  not  yet  been  visited,  and  who  wished  to 
be  baptized.  Thcv^o  'ndians  stated  that  they  had  been 
instructed  in  the  C'l'.r'stian  faith  by  a  lady,  who  frequently 
visited  them,  and  thon  disappeared,  without  their  knowing 
anything  further  aiv.  ut  her.  Missionaries  were,  however, 
sent  to  this  Indian  tribe,  who  were  found  to  be  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  doctrines  of  the  Church,  and  were  at  once 
admitted  to  the  sacraments.  Some  years  after.  Father 
Benavides,  on  a  visit  to  Spain,  related  this  circumstance  to 
the  General  of  the  Franciscans,  who  was  at  once  reminded 
of  the  supernatural  favors  accorded  to  Mary  of  Agreda,  a 
nun  of  the  same  institute.  Upon  a  careful  'nvestigation 
of  the  subject,  it  was  discovered  that  she  was  perfectly 
acquainted  with  all  the  details  of  the  missionary  enterprise 
among  the  above-mentioned  tribe  of  Indians.  She  described 
the  localities,  stated  the  precise  day  and  hour  when  certain 
events  took  place,  so  that  Father  Benavides  was  fully  con- 
vinced of  her  having  been  the  chosen  instrument  in  the 
hands  of  God  for  bringing  that  portion  of  the  Mexican 
Indians  to  a  knowledge  of  the  Christian  religion.  However 
extraordinary  such  a  fact  may  appear,  it  is  by  no  means 
incredible  to  those  who  know  that  the  very  life  and  sub- 
stance of  the  Christian  Church  lies  in  the  supernatural 
order."* 

Sumptuous  churches  and  numerous  missions  studded  the 

♦  "  Sketch  of  Catholic  Church  in  the  United  States." 


The  Early  Indian  Missions. 


n 


country.  The  native  towns,  "  still  remarkable  for  their 
peculiar  structure,  were  decorated  with  edifices  for  divine 
worship,  and  public  buildings  which  superficial  travellers  iu 
our  day  ascribe  to  the  everlasting  Aztecs." 

Yet,  this  great  missionary  work  was  accomplished,  com- 
paratively speaking,  in  a  few  years.  True,  in  the  seven- 
teenth century  the  warlike  incursions  of  the  pagan  Apache 
and  Navajo  did  much  to  destroy  the  spiritual  structure 
laiscd  with  so  much  care.  But  notwithstanding  all  the  vicis- 
situdes of  two  centuries  the  Indians  of  New  Mexico  are  yet 
minieroas — a  standing  monument  of  the  Church's  care  as  a 
mother — and  are  still  devotedly  attached  to  the  Catholic 
faith  received  by  tlieir  fathers. 


TEXAS. 

As  early  as  1544,  Texas  was  visited  by  one  of  the  most 
illustrious  of  the  Spanisli  missionaries — Father  De  Olmos, 
O.S.F.  His  brave  heart  did  not  quail  as  he  directed  his 
solitary  steps  on  the  lonely  path  which  was  to  bring  him 
among  the  tierce  Texan  tribes.  "  The  wild  men  gathered 
around  the  envoy  of  the  Gospel,  and  hearkened  in  peace  to 
his  doctrines.  Numbers  were  persuaded,  and  a  flourishing 
mission  grew  up  around  the  humble  conquest  of  Olmos' 
hardv  zeal."* 

The  priests  who  accompanied  La  Salle's  unfortunate 
expedition  doubtless  cast  good  seed  along  their  pathway  ; 
and,  finally,  watered  the  prairies  of  Texas  with  the  last  drop 
of  their  blood. 

However,  the  real  foundation  of  extensive  missions  in 
tliis  State  was  laid  in  1688,  by  fourteen  Franciscan  priests 
and  seven  lay  brothers.  For  over  a  hundred  years  after 
this  period,  Texas  was  the  sublime  theatre  of  missionary 
enterprise  and  spiritual  progress.  The  roving  Indian  of 
the  prairie  ceased  his  wanderings,  and  found  prosperity  and 
happiness  under  the  peaceful  shadow  of  the  cross. 


«  « 


History  of  the  Catholic  Missions." 


78 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


:■''.,■       \ 


CALIFORNIA. 

T)ic  Catliolic  missionary  traversed  the  soil  of  California 
two  centuries  and  a  half  before  the  greedy  gold-hunter 
directed  his  steps  towards  it.  To  him  the  salvation  of  a 
single  soul  was  more  precious  than  all  the  gold  that  enriched 
its  lofty  hills  and  beautiful  valleys.  There,  in  1601,  a  band 
of  Franciscans  celebrated  the  first  Mass  on  "  a  rustic  altar 
beneath  the  spreading  branches  of  a  time-honored  oak. 
*  *  *  This  may  be  considered  the  natal  day  of  tlie 
California  mission."* 

Father  Picola,  one  of  the  early  Jesuit  missionaries, 
appeared  to  be  well  aware  of  the  rich  mines  of  this  favored 
region.  AVriting  to  the  Government  of  Mexice,  in  1702, 
he  says :  "  I  have  no  doubt  that  the  most  valuable  mines 
might  be  discovered  in  many  places  were  they  but  sought 
for.  This  country  is  under  the  same  physical  influences  as 
Cinaloa  and  Sonora,  which  are  so  richly  veined  with  the 
precious  metals." 

TUE    APOSTLE   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

But  while  other  missionaries  may  have  been  acquainted 
with  California,  the  real  Apostle  of  that  famous  State  was 
Father  Juniper  Serra,  an  Italian  Franciscan.  With  three 
other  priests  of  the  same  order,  he  formed  part  of  the  expe- 
dition of  Galvez  in  1769.  The  object  of  Galvez  is  clearly 
stated  in  the  first  article  of  the  instructions  which  he  issued 
for  the  guidance  of  all  who  accompanied  him.  It  is  worded 
as  follows :  "  The  first  object  of  this  expedition  is  to  estab- 
lish the  Catholic  religion  among  a  numerous  heathen  people, 
su])merged  in  the  darkness  of  paganism  ;  and  to  extend  the 
dominion  of  our  lord,  the  King  of  Spain."  The  expedition 
left  La  Paz  in  Lower  California,  and  after  some  saihng  and 
forty-six  days  travelling  by  land,  it  reached  the  port  of  the 
present  city  of  San  Diego.     Here  Father  Serra  established 

♦  "History  of  tho  Catholic  Missions." 


his 

in 

ten 

feas 

ast 

the 

tlie 


I^ 


wer 

Clir 
of 


Tlie  Early  Indian  Alissions. 


79 


his  first  mission.  The  outposts  of  Christianity  rapidly  grew 
in  numbers  aud  extent.  In  1771,  the  lovely  valleys  of  Mon- 
terey resounded  as  they  had  never  done  before.  There,  the 
feast  of  Corpus  Christi  was  celebrated  with  a  pomp  such 
as  the  wilderness  had  never  seen ;  twelve  priests  joined  in 
tlie  sacred  procession  to  honor  that  Ileal  Presence  which  is 
the  center  of  Catholic  faith  and  worship. 

By  thousands  the  Indians  embraced  the  faith.  They 
were  taught  the  arts  of  civilized  life,  and  soon  a  flourishing 
Cliristian  country  existed  on  the  shores  of  the  great  ocean 
of  the  West.  Thus  Catholicity  was  the  pioneer  in  the 
raciiic  States,  as  it  was  in  those  bordering  on  the  Atlantic, 
on  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  on  the  Great  Lakes,  and  on  the 
Mississippi. 

At  the  very  time  when  the  Fathers  of  the  Republic  were 
drafting  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  the  humble  and 
eaintly  Scrra  was  founding  the  great  city  of  San  Francisco. 
"  IIow  great,"  says  a  western  writer,  "  are  the  changes  in 
the  womb  of  time !  On  the  27th  of  June,  1776,  one  hun- 
dred years  ago,  San  Francisco  became  known  in  history. 
Father  Juniper  Serra,  whose  name  and  deeds  in  California 
have  secured  the  proudest  niche  in  its  history — whose  monu- 
ment should  stand  in  the  first  place  in  our  public  square, 
as  a  testimonial  of  respect — landed  at  this  place  accom- 
panied by  a  few  settlers  from  Sonora. 

"  Look  at  that  old  Presidio  and  that  venerable  mission  of 
Dolores,  and  behold  the  first  house  erected  !  These  are  his 
liandiwork.  San  Francisco  has  this,  at  least,  to  boast  of 
— tliat  the  first  building  erected  within  it  was  dediciited  to 
God's  worship  under  the  patronage  of  St.  Francis." 

The  venerable  SeiTa  died,  during  the  summer  of  178-1, 
in  the  seventy-first  year  of  his  age. 

"  And  when  the  sun  in  all  its  state, 
Illumed  the  western  skies, 
He  passed  through  Glory's  morning  gate, 
And  walked  in  Paradise." 


THREE  MAKTYIIS  OF  THE  SPANISH  MISSIONS. 

"  Ah  I  the  eonU  uf  eaints  that  die, 
Arc  but  Bunbeamg  lifted  higher."— LoNorKLLOw. 


1.    FATHER  LOUIS  CANCER,  O.S.D. 

The  Spanish  misHions  had  their  Christian  heroes — dauntless 
men  who  met  death  witli  joy.  Louis  Cancer  was  one  of  them. 
A  Dominican  and  a  native  of  Spain,  he  was  first  sent  as  a  mis- 
sionary among  tlie  Indians  of  Mexico.  While  here,  he  heard  of 
the  ttorco  tribes  of  Florida,  and  ardently  desired  to  preach  the 
Gospel  among  thom.  With  two  otlier  members  of  his  order,  ho 
landed  on  the  shores  of  the  wild  peninsula,  on  Ascension  Day, 
1549.  As  they  reached  the  land,  they  knelt,  recited  a  litany,  and 
recommended  their  enterprise  to  God.  Leaving  Father  do 
Tolosa  to  establish  a  mission  at  this  place,  Father  Cancer  went 
on  board  the  vesijcl,  and  moved  further  along  the  coast  to 
Espiritu  Santo  Bay.  Here  he  was  informed  by  a  Spaniard,  who 
lived  amongst  the  Indians,  that  de  Tolosa  had  been  murdered 
by  tlie  hostile  savages. 

The  natives  at  Espiritu  Santo  Bay,  however,  seemed  very 
peacenble,  and  the  good  Father  at  once  determined  to  preach 
the  word  of  truth  to  them.  But  he  was  soon  made  awaro 
that  the  apparently  good  dispositions  of  tlieso  people  were  not 
to  be  relied  upon.  Still,  he  was  not  the  man  to  be  frightened 
by  danger,  and  he  bade  a  last  adieu  to  his  friends  on  the  ship. 
In  vain  did  they  beseech  him  not  to  expose  his  valuable  life. 
His  only  reply  was  :  "This  work  is  not  to  be  accomplished  with- 
out blood  ! "  He  landed.  As  he  proceeded  up  the  hilly  shore 
the  savages  surrounded  hhn,  took  off  his  hat,  and  with  loud 
cries  rushed  upon  the  heroic  son  of  St.  Dominic.  Beneath  their 
clubs  he  expired,  exclaiming,  "Oh,  my  God!"  His  precious 
death  occurred  June  25,  1549. 


il:f 


3.     FATHER  PETER  MARTINEZ,  S.J. 

Father  Peter  Martinez  was  the  superior  of  the  first  band  of  Jes- 
uits that  trod  the  soil  of  America.  He  was  born  in  Spain,  A.d. 
1533.  Even  in  his  boyhood  he  had  consecrated  himself  to  God 
by  a  vow  of  perpetual  virginity.  Entering  the  Society  of  Jesus 
— for  which  at  first  he  felt  an  aversion— he  soon  became  noted 
for  his  virtue  and  learning.  Father  Martinez  and  his  two  com- 
panions accompanied  the  expedition  of  Melendez,  to  Florida,  in 
(80) 


The  Early  Indian  Missions. 


8i 


ISOn.  Before  departing,  he  ndtlrcssod  a  long  letter  to  the  cele- 
brated St.  Francis  Borgia,  tlien  General  of  the  .letiuits.  In  it  ho 
nobly  says:  "By  the  mercy  of  God  I  undertuke  tliin  voyaj;o 
with  cotirage  and  witli  entire  confidence  in  His  grace.  *  *  *  + 
Your  Paternity  can  assure  our  most  Holy  Fatlier,  Pius  V.,  in  our 
name,  that  besides  myself — who  am  bound  to  him  1  /  the  vow 
of  my  profession — faithful  sons  of  the  Holy  Roman  Church,  are 
about  to  depart  for  the  acquisition  of  a  new  tiock,  for  which  end 
thoy  are  ready,  with  the  aid  of  divine  grace,  to  shed  their  blood; 
and  they  will  account  it  a  very  great  favor  of  God  to  lay  down 
their  lives  for  the  spiritual  advancement  of  those  whom  they 
may  gain  to  Clirist." 

Wht  I  the  vessel  in  which  the  Fathers  sailed,  approached  tlie 
coast  of  Florida,  it  separated  from  the  rest  of  the  squadron, 
taking  a  northern  direction.  Tlie  Captain  on  nearing  this  shore 
(lo.^iired  a  fow  men  to  land  in  a  yawl,  and  explore  the  country. 
All  refused  to  liazard  their  lives  among  the  fierce  savages.  Fi- 
nally, about  a  dozen  Belgians  and  Spaniards  offered  to  comply, 
in  case  Father  INfartinez  was  allowed  to  accompany  them.  Ho 
was  informed  of  this.  The  fearless  priest,  moved  by  cliarity,  was 
the  first  to  leap  into  the  boat.  The  exploring  party  landed,  but 
had  scarcely  done  so,  when  a  sudden  storm  arose,  driving  tho 
ship  which  they  had  left,  far  from  the  shore.  Their  position  was 
not  to  be  envied.  Far  and  v  'do  nothing  mot  their  gazo  save  a 
dri'ary  wilderness — on  onesid^  t.ia  rough  and  threatening  ocean, 
on  the  other  vast  and  unknown  solitudes  !  On  this  .'lavage  coast 
they  waited  ton  days,  thinking  that  perhaps  some  other  vessel 
might  present  itself.  *'  Occasionally  thoy  wandered  about,"  says 
an  old  Latin  work,  "to  gather  a  few  herbs,  Father  Martinez  „j 
their  head,  bearing  tho  imago  of  Christ  crucified,  and  as  some 
of  his  companions  afterwards  related,  performing  prodigies  of 
charity."  Would  space  permit,  pages  might  be  filled  with  the 
adventures  of  this  party  in  their  eflbrts  to  reach  a  Spanish 
colony.  At  one  of  the  rivers  which  they  crossed,  Father  Mar- 
tinez's charity  in  waiting  for  two  tardy  Belgians  caused  his  own 
death.  Rushing  to  tho  boat,  tho  savages  seized  the  heroic  Jesuit, 
forced  him  on  shore,  and  began  their  murderous  work.  With 
hands  uplifted  to  Heaven,  ho  received  the  repeated  blows  of  a 
lieavy  club  until  life  was  extinct  I  The  date  of  his  death  was 
S.'pteuiber  28,  15GG.  Thus  Father  Peter  Martinez,  the  lirst 
Jesuit  who  landed  en  the  soil  of  America,  baptized  it  with  his 

blood  : 


82 


Catholicity  in  the   United  States. 


IImI 


3.    FATHER  PETER  i)E  CORA,  O.S.F. 

Father  Pctor  do  Corpa,  a  diHtmgiiiHhod  preacher,  was  one  of 
the  brave  band  of  Spani.sh  Franciscans  that  carried  the  light  of 
the  (iospel  among  tlio  dusky  savages  of  the  South.  With  three 
companions  ho  began  his  labors  among  the  Indians  who  inhab- 
ited what  is  now  the  coast  of  Georgia.  The  priests  were  well 
received;  and,  for  two  years,  successfully  carried  on  their  labors. 
Their  toils  and  fatigues,  the  journeys  which  they  performed, 
barefooted,  from  village  to  village,  exposed  to  the  broiling  sun, 
■with  the  austerities  enjoined  by  their  rule,  were  amply  repaid 
by  the  numerous  converts  who  gathered  around  them. 

To  abolisli  the  practice  of  polygamy  was  the  greatest  obstacle 
the  missionaries  had  to  encounter.  No  man  was  baptized  who 
did  not  put  away  all  his  wives,  save  one.  And  Fatlier  do  Corpa's 
flrmnoss  in  upholding  the  sanctity  of  the  marriage  tie  was  the 
cause  of  his  death.  The  son  of  ono  of  the  chiefs,  a  convert,  re- 
turned to  his  former  life  of  immorality,  thus  givuig  great  scan- 
dal. The  eloquent  Franciscan  found  it  necessary  publicly  to 
reprove  him.  Enraged  at  this,  and  at  former  private  remon- 
strances of  the  Father,  the  young  savage  chief  deierminod  to 
silence  forever  the  lips  which  preached  a  doctrine  so  offensive 
to  his  loose  instincts.  Collecting  a  number  of  braves  one  even- 
ing, he  secretly  approached  the  rude  chapel.  Father  de  Corpa 
was  alone  before  the  altar  at  his  devotions.  lie  fell— his  head 
gashed  by  a  blow  of  the  chief's  tomahawk.  The  eloquent  tongue 
of  the  martyr  was  now  stilled  in  death  ;  but  his  brave  soul, 
leaving  his  liendish  murderers  in  the  dark,  winged  its  happy 
flight  to  regions  of  bliss,  and  found  its  reward  in  the  bosom  of 
Cod. 

At  the  head  of  a  hostile  multitude  of  red-skin  rufilans,  the 
"Wi'ctched  young  chief  ravaged  all  the  missions  ;  and  the  fear- 
loss  Father  De  Corpa's  colleagues  shared  his  fate,  dividing 
with  him  the  crown  of  martyrdom.  These  events  occurred  in 
SScptember,  1597,  a  little  more  than  one  hundred  years  after  the 
discovery  of  America. 


til 


II.    THE  ENGLISH  MISSIONS,  A.D,  1C34-1C44. 

Maryland. 

More  than  half  a  century  before  the  English  Catholics 
landed  on  the  shores  of  the  Chesapeake,  the  soil  of  Mary- 
land was  bedewed  with  the  blood  of  martyrs.  Some  of 
tlio  early  Spanish  navigators  explored  this  portion  of  our 
country,  bringing  away  with  tliLMu  the  young  son  of  the 
chieftain  of  a  district  known  by  the  name  of  Axacan.*  Ches- 
apeake Bay  they  named  St,  Mary's. 

Finding  the  young  Indian  possessed  of  rare  talents,  the 
missionaries  adopted  him  in  the  hope  that  he  would  one  day 
l»u  instrumental  in  spreading  the  Gospel  among  his  kindred, 
lie  was  sent  to  Sj)ain,  received  a  good  education,  and  was 
tliuruughly  instructed  in  the  principles  of  the  faith.  He  was 
baptized,  and  received  tlie  name  of  Luis.  Don  Luis  after  a 
lime  asked  leave  to  return  and  to  use  his  intluencein  con- 
verting his  tribe,  lie  landed  in  Florida,  and  invited  some 
missionaries  to  accompany  him  to  his  brother's  dominions. 
They  gladly  consented. 

AX    INDIAN   JUDAS. 

In  1570,  Father  Segura,  S.J.,  with  eight  -Fesuit  Fathers 
and  Don  Luis  embarked  in  a  small  craft,  bidding  adieu  to 
the  shores  of  Florida.  They  landed  in  Chesa[)eake  Bay,  and 
began  a  long  and  painful  march  towards  the  interior, 
^lonths  passed.  They  gallantly  pressed  on.  Ibit  the  con- 
duct of  Don  Luis  began  to  arouse  suspi'ion.  At  length  he 
stated  that  his  brother's  village  was  but  twelve  nn'les  oil. 
The  young  chieftain — their  only  guide — left  the  Jesuits, 
telling  them  to  encamp,  while  he  proceeded  alone,  in  order 
to  prepare  his  tribe  to  give  the  Fathers  a  welcome  reception. 
Days  elapsed,  hunger  pressed,  but  Don  Luis  ap|)eared  not. 
Left  thus  in  a  trackless  wilderness,  without  any  protection 


*  The  location  of  Axacan  cannot  now  be  correctly  deternjined. 
It  is  said  to  have  been  about  37  or  37i  degrees  north. 

(«3) 


mil 


''■  r 

i.'iii 

n : 


■■,1 1 


II 

I^M  'F^' 

Hi    '^'^ 

Hi:  ' 

■  11  'iilH 

i  t'' 

1"      :  , 

r  ^" 

■i  :ilA] 

Ir''^ 

m 

84 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


but  Ilcivcn,  the  priests  consoled  thoinsclve.s  1)y  prayer,  and 
by  olTering  up  tlie  holy  sacrifice  (jii  a  rustic  altar.  After 
an  urgent  invitation  from  Father  Quiros,  tiie  faithless  young 
savage  returned — as  a  murderer !  liaising  a  war-cry,  he 
was  answered  by  the  tribe,  and  chief  and  warrior  rushed 
on  the  unsuspecting  missionaries  and  butchered  them  with- 
out mercy. 

Of  all  this  brave  band  one  alone  escaped  to  tell  their  sad 
fate — an  Indian  boy  educated  at  Havana.  Such  was  the 
first  attempt  to  plant  the  cross  in  Maryland.  The  blood  of 
martyrs  is  never  shed  in  vain. 

THE   CATHOLIC    PILGRIM   FATHERS   OF   AMERICA. 

Sixty-four  years  ])assed  away  l)efore  the  Catholic  Pilgrim 
Fatliers — the  pioneers  of  freedom  in  America — cast  their 
tents  on  the  banks  of  the  Potomac*  On  the  feast  of  the 
Annunciation,  March  25,  1634,  they  took  formal  possession 
of  Maryland. 

Accompanying  these  Catholic  colonists  were  two  Jesuits, 
Fathers  Andrew  AVhite  and  John  Altham.  These  were  the 
first  English-speaking  missionaries  who  labored  for  tlie 
salvation  of  the  Indians.  While  the  Catholic  settlers  re- 
spected the  rights  of  their  dusky  neighbors,  and  treated 
them  with  great  kindness,  the  priests  toiled  zealously  for 
their  conversion.  The  first  meeting  between  the  king  of 
the  Pascatoways — the  most  powerful  of  the  Maryland  trihes 
— and  Father  Altham  is  so  interesting  that  I  cannot  omit  it. 
The  good  Father,  in  company  with  Governor  Calvert,  sailed 
up  the  Potomac  to  the  principal  village,  for  the  purpose  of 
gaining  the  friendship  of  the  head  chief  of  the  tribe.  It 
^as  situated  some  distance  below  Washington.     Fatlier 

*Tbe  Catholic  colonists  gave  the  name  of  St.  Gregory  to  this 
beautiful  river.  See  Father  White's  Selatio  Itineris  in  Mary- 
landiam,  p.  31.  This  valuable  and  interesting  work,  accom- 
panied by  an  English  translation,  U  published  by  Messrs.  John 
Murphy  &  Co.,  Baltimore.  Potomac  is  an  Indian  term  signify- 
ing "  place  of  the  burning  pine." 


P 


The  Early  Indian  Missions. 


85 


Aliliam  ])reac'hcd  to  the  people  aiul  their  chief.  "  They 
listened  with  attention  and  rei)lied  to  him  throu^^^h  \m  inter- 
])irter.  He  tohl  them  that  the  pale-face.s  had  come  neither 
to  make  war  upon  them,  nor  to  do  them  any  wron^ ;  hut 
to  instruct  them  in  Christianity,  to  make  them  acipiainted 
A\  itii  the  arts  of  civilized  life,  and  to  live  with  them  like 
jjrothers.  *  You  are  welcome,'  replied  the  chief;  'we  will 
use  one  tahle.  My  people  shall  hunt  for  my  hrother,  and 
all  things  shall  be  in  common  between  us.'  "*  Such  was 
the  fii"st  conference  between  a  Catholic  priest  and  the  gentle 
and  peaceful  Indians  of  Maryland.f 

As  the  missionaries  were  so  few  in  numl)er,  thev  were 
for  several  years  obliged  to  divide  their  time  between  the 
colonists  and  the  natives.  But  new  priests  arriving  from 
I'jiglaiid  and  the  Seminary  of  Douay,  the  field  of  their 
labors  was  gradually  extended.  Apostolic  men  "began  to 
])ress  into  the  interior  and  to  visit  every  tribe  ami  territory." 
The  Indians  of  the  I'atuxent  bestowed  upon  the  Jesuits  a 
j)lantaLion,  and  the  wigwnm  of  a  generous  chieftain  was  the 
iirst  church  in  the  country  watered  by  the  Potomac.  Father 
AVliite  and  his  companions  became  a  host  in  themselves. 
Paganism  and  idolatry  tied  before  them.  In  1639 — only 
live  years  from  tlie  date  of  settlement — they  had  visited 
many  tribes,  made  numerous  converts,  and  possessed  four 
pennanent  stations,  the  most  distant  of  which  was  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  miles  from  St.  Mary's,  the  seat  of  the 
colony.  Between  this  date  and  1G44,  the  Pascatoways  and 
their  king  Charles  were  converted.  Whole  villages  em- 
braced the  faith.  Many,  even  of  the  Protestant  colonists, 
returned  to  the  creed  of  their  fathers. 


PUNISHMENT   OF   A   BACKSLIDER. 

Father  AVhite  gives  an  account  of  the  sad  end  of  a  back- 

*McShorry  ;  also  Relatio  Itineris  in  Marylandiam. 

\  In  natural  virtue,  and  especially  gentleness  of  disposition, 
the  Maryland  Indians  surpassed  most  of  the  native  tribes  of  our 
country. 


'N^ 


:li     ,  i' 


86 


Catuolicity  in  the  United  States, 


Blidcr  of  that  day.  "A  certain  one,"  writes  tlic  vencrahlc 
Jesuit,  "  when  he  had  felt  some  internal  dawnings  of  tlie 
faith  of  God,  liad  desired  ]>rayerd)ead8  for  hiiuself;  l)ut 
afterwards  having  chan^'ed  his  mind,  he  was  aceuHtomed  to 
Bmoke  tliem  in  his  ])ipe  witli  tohaeco — after  they  had  been 
ground  to  powder — often  boasting  that  he  Iiad  eaten  tip  his 
'■''Ave  Mariasy  So  he  ealled  the  beads,  by  tlie  telling  of 
which  the  salutation  of  the  angel  is  recited.  But  the  divine 
vengeance  did  not  let  tlie  wicked  crime  go  unpunished  ;  for 
scarcely  a  year  having  passed,  on  the  returning  vigil  of  the 
day  on  which  he  had  abandoned  his  purpose  of  embracing 
the  (^Vtholic  faith,  a  more  sacrilegious  playfulness  possessed 
him,  as  was  noticed  by  his  companions.  In  the  afternoon, 
when  he  had  betaken  hinisclf  to  the  river  for  the  ])nrpose 
of  swimming,  scarcely  had  he  touched  the  water  when  a 
Imge  iish,  having  suddeidy  seized  the  wicked  man,  before  he 
could  retreat  to  the  baidc,  tore  away  at  a  bite  a  large  portion 
of  his  thigh,  by  the  i)aiii  of  which  most  merited  laceration, 
the  unhappy  wretch  was  hurried  away  from  the  living — 
the  divine  justice  briiiging  it  about,  that  he,  wlio  a  little 
while  before  boasted  that  he  had  eaten  up  his  "  Ave  ]^^aria 
beads,"  should  see  his  own  Hesh  devoured^  even  while  lie  was 
yet  limng  !  "* 


A   STOKM   KAI8ED   BY   C0NSCIKNCELES8   BIGOTS. 

A  storm,  however,  was  soon  to  desolate  the  fair  field  of 
Maryland.  Clayborne  and  liis  Puritans  rose  in  arms,  ex- 
pelled the  Catholic  governor,  carried  off  the  priests  and 
reduced  them  to  a  miserable  slavery.  This  unlh^ppy  event 
sealed  the  fate  of  the  Gospel  among  the  Indians  in  "  the 
land  of  the  sanctuary.''  Thus  the  results  of  ten  years  of 
glorious  missionary  labor  received  its  death-blow  from  the 
hands  of  a  mob  of  fanatics,  headed  by  a  bold,  avaricious 
rutlian  1 


♦  Relatio  Itineris  in  Marylandiam,  p.  79. 


FATHER   ANDREW    WHITE,     H.J.,    THE    APOSTLE    OP 

MAIlVr.AND. 

"  Not  wUli  luuit«'r'<t  bow  and  f  pear  he  ciiine, 
O'er  till'  )>l;iu  IiIIIh  to  rlinhf  tlio  (\y\un  ro«!  ; 
Not  tho  (lurk  ulory  of  thci  wood,"  to  tHiiie. 
LnyhiK  tliclr  ci'diirH  llko  thi'  <-orn-nli»rkK  low, 
But  to  Hpii'tid  tldiiiRt*  orall  holy  tliin^'x, 
Uluddi-iiiii^nu-irr'  HoulHas  with  tiiu  moriiiii);':*  wln^''*."- IIrwanh. 

Ono  of  the  iuiiiiortal  pioncorrt  of  Catliolirity  in  AimTica  was 
tlio  good  aritl  groat  Father  Andrew  Wliite.  He  wjih  horn  in  Lon- 
don, about  ir»79.  Am  tlio  Kliuniofi',1  laws  of  England  (l»'barre<l 
('ath(dic.s  front  studying  or  teaching,  young  White  wtiH  lorced  to 
seek  the  fount  of  knowledge  in  a  strange  land. 

Hy  the  zetil  of  the  learned  (Jatholie  profesHorn  who  were  b:in- 
ished  fitnu  Oxford  —tmd  especially  of  the  faiuous  ('ardiiut'  Mlon  — 
an  English  college  was  established  jit  Dotiay,  in  Frair  o,  1508. 
Vuv  nearly  two  cent-i-ies  and  a  half  the  Catholii;  atudonts  >'" 
Orcat  iJritain  directinl  thel"*  Ht<'ps  to  this  r.-nowned  institution. 
Here  the  th.iNO  of  faith  was  nourished  and  the  light  of  knowl- 
edge kept  buridng  when  all  was  bigotry  and  religious  darkness 
in  the  once  Catholic  land  of  England — the  lioino  of  tin/  saintly 
Hede  and  the  great  Alfred.  Here  were  trained  thosu  bands  of 
devoted  priests  who  laid  down  their  lives  in  laboring  to  restore 
the  true  faith  among  their  unhappy  countrymen.  Here  our 
Catholic  Bible  was  translated  into  English.  Hero  tlio  pious, 
learned,  and  profound  Alban  Hutlcr,  author  of  th(>  '^  Jdcvsof 
till'  ISaints,"'  received  his  education.  And  here,  likewise,  tho 
future  apostle  of  Maryhmd  earnestly  labored  and  studied  to 
prepare  himself  for  his  high  and  holy  calling.  In  his  twenty-fifth 
year  ho  was  elevated  to  tho  priesthood,  and  immediately  sent 
on  the  London  mission. 

As  the  penal  laws  were  rigidly  enforced,  Father  White  had  to 
timper  his  zeal  with  tho  greatest  prudence.  Hut  despite  all  his 
j)recautions,  his  sacred  charticter  was  discovered.  The  fierce 
Mohawj :  was  not  more  eager  and  skillful  on  an  enemy's  trail, 
than  the  fanatical  and  barbarous  government  of  England  in 
search  of  a  Catholic  priost.  And  the  humanity  of  the  American 
Indian  cotuparos  very  favorably  with  that  of  the  J'rotestant 
Briton.  The  very  year  that  Father  White  returned  to  England, 
tho  saintly  poet  and  Jesuit,  Southwell,  was  binitally  tortured 
on  the  rack,  ten  different  times;  and  fintilly  executed  with  the 
most  revolting  cruelties.  And  all  because — ho  was  a  Catholic 
clergyman  ! 

(57) 


m 


in  ■  :l 

i'. 


!     ! 

i 
I 


88 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


In  1606,  Father  White,  with  many  other  priests,  was  sentenced 
to  perpetual  banislinient.  He  returned  to  the  continent  and 
entered  the  So'^-ietyx>f  Jesns.  Having  flnislied  his  novitiate  of 
two  years  at  Louvain,  he  obtained  permission  to  return  to  Eng- 
land. Hero  the  apostolic  man  again  secretly  labo»ed  for  ten 
years  on  the  London  mission,  at  the  end  of  whicii  time  he  was 
appointed  Professor  of  Theology  and  Hebrew,  in  the  college  of 
his  Order,  at  Seville,  Spain,  Hin  zeal  was  unsatisfied  with  his 
quiet  duties  ;  and,  once  more,  he  obtained  permission  to  return 
to  his  native  land. 

On  this  occasion  the  good  Lord  Baltimore  made  the  zealous 
Jesuit's  acquaintance.  This  nobleman  was  maturing  his  scheme 
of  founding  a  Catholic  colony  in  America,  and  was  most  desirous 
of  placing  it  under  the  spiritual  care  of  Father  White.  "The 
Society  of  Jesus  eagerly  seconded  the  views  of  the  English  Lord, 
which  promised  such  an  extension  to  the  bounds  of  the  Church." 
Father  White  was  appointed  superior,  and  with  him  were  asso- 
ciated Father  John  Altham  and  two  lay  brothers.  In  company 
with  the  expedition,  the  good  Fathers  reached  the  shores  of 
Maryland  on  the  25th  of  March,  16.'34.  Father  Wliite  celebrated 
the  first  Mass  ever  offered  up  in  that  region.  For  tea  years  he 
labored  with  the  zeal  of  an  apostle,  dividing  his  time  between 
the  colonists  and  the  Indians  ;  and  truly  making  himself  all  to 
all  that  he  might  gain  all  to  Jesus  Christ.  He  and  his  colleagues 
were  invited  to  sit  in  the  first  Colonial  Assembly,  but  earnestly 
desiring  to  be  excused  from  taking  part  in  secular  concerns,  their 
request  was  granted.  Tliough  fifty-five  years  of  age.  Father 
White  imtiently  commenced  the  difficult  study  of  the  Indian 
language,  on  mastering  which,  he  devoted  himself  to  the  con- 
version of  the  Patuxents,  and,  finally,  of  the  Pascatoways.  I 
have  alrtmdy  related  how  he  converted  Chiloraacon  and  his 
tribe.  His  learning  and  enterprise  led  him  to  the  laborious  and 
even  Herculean  task  of  compiling  an  Indian  dictionary  and  cate- 
chism for  the  use  of  the  missionaries. 

Untier  his  holy  guidance  the  spiritual  condition  of  the  colony 
Avas  admirable.  A  church  was  erected  in  the  town  of  St.  Mary's; 
and  peace,  happiness,  and  religion  smiled  on  the  quiet  shores 
of  the  Chesapeake.  Writing  to  the  General  at  Rome,  in  lOSS, 
Father  White  says  :  "  The  i-eligious  exercises  are  followed  with 
exactness,  and  the  sacraments  are  well  frequented.  By  spiritual 
exercises  we  have  formed  the  principal  inhabitants  to  the  prac- 
tice of  piety,  and  they  have  derived  signal  benefits  from  them. 
The  sick  and  dying,  whose  number  has  been  considerable  this 


The  Early  Indian  Missions. 


89 


year,  have  all  been  attended,  in  spite  of  the  great  distance  of 
their  dwellings,  so  that  not  a  Catholic  died  without  having  re- 
ceived the  benefits  of  the  sacraments."  Such  was  the  edifying 
piety  and  fervor  of  these  good  Catholic  colonists  that  many  of 
the  Protestants,  converted  by  their  bright  example,  gladly  em- 
brac<;d  the  faith  of  their  forefathers. 

But  a  cloud  had  arisen,  and  was  hanging  over  the  peaceful 
and  prosperous  colony.  In  1644  the  insurrection  of  Clayborno 
and  his  fanatical  adherents,  passed  over  the  fair  Maryland  like 
a  devastating  hurricane.  Religion  and  its  altars  were  ruthlessly 
ovorthrown,  the  Catholic  inhabitants  plundered,  and  their  rights 
trampled  upon.  Even  the  venerable  Father  White  and  his  un- 
offending companions  were  seized,  put  in  irona,  and  sent  to 
England,  where  they  had  to  undei*go  a  long  and  painful  im- 
prisonment. 

On  being  released,  some  of  the  priests  returned  to  their  flocks ; 
but  Father  White  was  not  one  of  the  happy  number.  He  was 
destined  never  again  to  behold  the  shores  of  America.  Banished 
from  England,  lie  was  obliged  to  seek  a  plpce  of  refuge  on  the 
continent ;  but,  afterwards,  at  the  command  of  his  superior,  he 
returned  to  England,  under  an  assumed  name. 

The  last  years  of  Father  White's  life  are  somewhat  veiled  in 
obscurity.  "It  has,  however,  been  recorded  that  the  holy  man 
foresaw,  and  named,  the  day  and  hour  of  his  death,  namely  : 
the  Feast  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  December  27,  1656.  On 
that  day,  though  not  more  ill  than  usual,  he  insisted  upon  re- 
ceiving the  last  sacraments  of  the  Church,  and  about  sunset 
breathed  his  last,  in  London,  in  the  78th  year  of  his  age.  Father 
Southwell,  in  his  Bibliothea  Soiptonim,  S.J.,  gives  a  glowing 
eulogium  of  this  most  pious  and  worthy  apostle  of  Maryland,"* 

Tl»e  activity  and  zeal  of  Father  White  were  only  equalled  by 
his  cheerfulness  and  sublime  virtue.  To  the  latest  ages  his 
name  shall  be  pronounced  with  reverence  along  the  banks  of  the 
Potomac  and  the  shores  of  the  Chesapeake  ! 


*  Relatio  Itineris  in  Marylandiam,  p.  119. 


Ffn 

^^^H| 

I^^H  i 

':|;il 

^^Hl: 

'  !■■■ 

B^^H!^ 

■          i 

m 

^Bf 

CHARLES,  THE  INDIAN  KING. 


2^B': 

^^■'';;<f 

One  of  the  most  remarkable  of  the  Indian  chiefs  who  em- 
braced Catholicity  was  Charles,  king  of  the  Pascatoway. 
About  his  early  history  wo  know  little,  save  that  he  was 
a  bold,  ambitious  man.  Chilomacon  was  his  Indian  naane. 
Charles,  he  took  at  his  baptism.  Some  time  before  the  arrival 
of  the  Catholic  colonists,  Chilomacon's  brother  was  head  chief 
of  the  tribe.  Oiis  day  his. sudden  death  was  announced.  The 
savage  ambition  of  Chilomacon  had  sacrificed  the  life  of  his 
brother  that  ho  himself  might  rule  in  his  place.  The  Pascato- 
way were  the  most  powerful  and  extensive  tribe  in  Maryland. 
Their  capital,  Kittamaquindi,  was  situated  near  the  present  city 
of  Washington. 

Father  White,  S.  J.,  the  venerable  Apostle  of  Maryland,  soon 
extended  the  sphere  of  his  zealous  labors  among  the  Pascato- 
ways.*  Chilomacon  received  him  with  great  kindness,  "and 
made  him  reside  in  his  rude  and  simple  palace,  while  the  queen 
prepared  his  food  with  her  own  hands."  With  joy  he  informed 
the  aged  Jesuit  that  his  presence  in  their  midst  was  the  fulfil- 
ment of  dreams  which  had  repeatedly  warned  him  of  the  ap- 
proach of  holy  men,  who  would  be  the  bearers  of  heavenly 
blessings  to  himself  and  his  tribe. 

Soon  after,  an  event  happened  which  hastened  the  conversion 
of  the  king.  He  was  seized  with  a  dangerous  malady,  and  in 
vain  did  forty  medicine-men,  or  conjurei's,  exhaust  their  inge- 
nuity, their  charms,  and  their  incantations  upon  the  prostrated 
Chilomacon.  Having  ordered  them  from  his  presence,  he  be- 
Bought  Father  White  to  aid  him.  The  good  Father's  knowledge 
of  medicine  served  him  well.  He  bled  the  chief,  administered 
what  he  considered  proper,  and  soon  Chilomacon  arose  from  his 
eick  hammock.  Ho  asked  to  be  baptized.  The  missionary 
kindly  told  him  that  it  was  necessary  to  be  well  instructed  first. 
The  eagerness  of  the  red  king  to  master  the  truths  of  Christianity 
was  truly  admirable.  Himself,  his  queen,  and  his  family  daily 
listened  to  the  instructions  of  the  venerable  Jesuit,  Besides, 
he  no  longer  clothed  himself  in  skins,  but  assumed  the  dress 
of  the  whites. 

His  anxiety  for  the  conversion  of  his  whole  tribe  was  only 
equalled  by  his  desire  to  be  received  into  the  church.     Cou- 


*  This  was  in  1(«9. 
(90) 


See  lidatio  Itincris  in  ManjlamUatn. 


The  Early  Indian  Missions. 


91 


vinced  himself,  he  wished  to  make  the  trutli  known  to  others.  Ho 
assembled  his  chiefs  and  people,  and  in  an  eloquent  appeal  told 
them  "that  childish  superstition  had  reigned  too  long  in  the 
wigwams  of  the  Pascatoways.  There  was  but  one  God  who  was 
worthy  of  the  homage  of  brave  men.  Ue  was  the  Creator  of  all 
things.  He  was  the  Great  Spirit  worshipped  by  the  black- 
};own.s.  The  herbs  and  the  stones  adored  by  the  Indians  wore 
but  the  humble  v--ork  of  Ilis  hands."  To  show  his  contempt  for 
their  former  idols,  he  took  one  and  tossed  it  with  his  foot.  The 
warriors  applauded  the  language  and  bold  action  of  their  chief  ; 
and  henceforth  Christianity  made  a  rapid  conquest  of  this 
tribe. 

Chllomacon  accepted  Father  White's  invitation  to  visit  the 
town  of  St.  Mary's,  and  was  delighted  with  the  peace,  happiness, 
and  prosperity  which  he  there  beheld.  He  now  eagerly  bogged 
to  be  baptized,  and  at  length  the  day  was  fixed. 

The  ceremony  took  place  on  the  5th  of  July,  1640,  at  his  rude 
capital,  in  a  chapel  built  of  bark  for  the  occasion.  Governor 
Leonard  Calvert,  his  secretary,  and  nmny  of  the  principal  in- 
habitants of  the  colony  were  present.  The  venez*able  Father 
White,  the  friend  and  instructor  of  the  red  king,  officiated. 
Cliilomacon,  his  queen,  their  little  son,  and  many  of  the  chief 
men  of  his  council  were  solemnly  admitted  into  the  Catholic 
Cliurch  by  the  regenerating  waters  of  baptism.  The  king  as- 
.'^unied  the  name  of  Charles  in  honor  of  the  English  sovereign  ; 
his  (lueen  that  of  Mary.  The  other  converts  also  received 
(Mnistian  names.  In  the  afternoon  the  king  and  queen  were 
married  according  to  the  ritus  of  the  Church.  A  cross  of  great 
size  was  then  borne  in  procession  by  the  king,  Governor  Calvert, 
tlie  secretary,  and  others,  while  two  priests  preceded  them, 
chanting  tlio  Litany  of  the  Most  Blessed  Virgin.  Having 
reached  a  place  prepared  for  its  reception  the  sacred  emblem 
was  erected  with  imposing  ceremony  in  commemoration  of  the 
important  events  which  had  just  taken  place. 

In  order  to  strengthen  the  bonds  of  a  union  which  had  been 
so  happily  effected,  and  to  give  his  people  an  example  of  the 
benetits  to  be  d vrived  from  religion  and  civilization,  King  Charles 
suon  after  sent  his  daughter  to  St.  Mary's  to  receive  a  polidied 
and  Christian  education,  and  one  of  his  chiefs  followed  his 
example. 

The  news  of  the  king's  baptism  travelled  like  a  Hash  through 
the  whole  tribe.  Hundreds  hastened  to  imitate  liis  example,  and 
of  the  future  high  hoj^es  were  ento'tained.     But  death  came, 


'l 


m 

liiii'   : 


lit  '-M 


tlil-ijilM.: 


iil'-" 


ii^'iMlii 


92 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


and  in  loss  than  a  year  after  his  conversion,  the  good  chief  gave 
up  his  soul  to  God.  Catholicity  cheered  his  last  moments,  which 
were  most  pious  and  edifying. 

Here  wo  behold  the  miracle  of  religion  transforming  the  rude, 
ambitious  savage  into  the  humble,  devoted,  and  noble  Christian 
ruler.  The  practice  of  the  true  faith  elevates  man  above  him- 
self.   Without  virtue  there  is  no  real  greatness. 

THE  FIlENCIl  MISSIONS. 

None  of  tlie  European  nations  treated  the  Indians  as  did 
Catliolic  France.  Always  their  friend,  she  was  unceasing 
in  her  efforts  to  elevate  them.  ''  It  was  neither  commercial 
enteifUMse  nor  royal  ambition,"  writes  Bancroft,  "  whicli 
carried  the  power  of  France  into  the  heart  of  our  continent ; 
the  motive  was  religion.  Religious  enthusiasm  founded 
Montreal,  made  a  con(juest  of  the  wilderness,  of  the  upper 
lakes,  and  explored  the  Mississippi.  The  Catholic  Church 
created  for  Canada  its  altars,  its  hospitals,  and  its  seminaries. 
*  *  ^'  ■"■  The  first  permanent  efforts  of  French  enter- 
prise in  colonizing  America  preceded  any  permanent  Eng- 
lish settlement  on  the  Potomac.'' 


MAINE. 

Many  years  ago  this  State  was  the  hunting  grounds  of 
the  famed  Abiuiki  tribe,  a  l)ranch  of  the  great  Algonquin 
family.  Among  the  red  men  Catholicity  made  no  nobler 
conveits  than  the  ancient  wan-iors  and  chieftains  of  INEaine. 
The  story  of  their  conversion  is  long  and  beautiful.  My 
space  will  barely  admit  a  dry,  brief  outline. 


TUE    JESUITS    IN   MAINE. 

In  the  northern  part  of  the  Union  we  find  the  French 
Jesuits  as  early  as  1009,  eleven  years  before  the  Puritans 
came  to  Massachusetts.  In  that  year  the  first  Catholic 
chapel  was  reared  in  New  England.  Its  site  was  Neutral 
Island,  in  Scoodic  river.  Finding  this  an  unsuitable  locality, 
a  new  mission,  by  the  noble   generosity  of  a  pious  French 


The  Early  Jndiati  Missions, 


93 


lady,  was  established  by  the  Jesuit  Fathers,  Biard  and  Masse, 
in  1G12,  on  Mount  Desert  Island,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Pe- 
nobscot, and  in  the  present  diocese  of  Portland.  They 
named  the  mission  Holy  Savior.  One  day  on  penetrating 
to  tlie  main  land  Father  ]>iard  heard  the  souiid  of  piteous 
wailing  in  a  distant  villag?.  He  hurried  towards  it.  lie 
])clield  a  strauije  sig-ht — an  Indian  brave  holdiiiii:  his  dvin<i: 
cliild  in  his  arms  and  the  whole  village  gathered  around 
him  in  loud  sympjithy.  The  heart  of  the  good  missionary 
was  touched.  He  baptized  the  babe,  prayed  for  its  recovery, 
and  his  prayer  was  heard  !  This  was  the  first  sacrament 
administered  in  the  State  of  Maine.  The  dusky  villagers 
regarded  Father  Biard  as  an  envoy  of  Heaven. 

But  disaster  was  about  to  frown  on  the  new  mission. 
While  the  buildings  were  merely  in  course  of  erection,  a 
number  of  English  ships  under  the  bigoted  and  infamous 
Argall  sailed  past,  attacked  the  place,  killed  Brother  du 
Thet,  and  carried  off  all  the  others — priests  and  colonists. 
"  Holy  Savior's  was  now  a  ruin — the  broken  cross  alone 
remained  above  the  body  of  Du  Thet  to  guard  that  land 
iy)X  Catholicity ;  all  was  silent — no  hynm,  no  voice  of  prayer ; 
no  savages  reclaimed  for  God  and  societ  /  wei-e  gathered 
there."*  Thus  was  the  first  Abnaki  mission  destroyed  by 
the  English,  a  nation  whose  only  words  of  peace  for  tho 
Indian  was  the  sound  of  the  rifle ! 

We  see  that  at  the  Xorth,  no  less  than  at  the  South, 
( 'atholicity  had  taken  possession  of  the  American  soil  long 
before  the  names  of  Plymouth  Ilock  and  the  Puritans  were 
heard  of  on  the  shores  of  the  New  World. 


FATHER   DRUILLETTE-5,  8. J.,  THK  APOSTLE    OF    MAINE. 

Forty  years  passed  away  before  another  attempt  was  made 
to  carry  the  Gospel  to  the  wigwams  of  the  Abnaki,  in  the 
forests  of  Maine.  A  warrior  of  that  tribe  had  l)een  con- 
verted at  Quebec,  and  returning  to  his  kindred,  he  told 
them  of  the  wonderful  blackgowns,  tho  (ireat  Spirit,  and 


*  Dr.  Shea. 


94 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


'•\  '%■ 


t^i\  i\ 


■\\\ 


the  beauties  of  his  new  faith.  They  heard,  admiretl,  and 
sent  a  deputation  of  chiefs  to  Quebec  to  beg  for  a  missionary. 
The  enterprising  Father  Druillettes,  S.J.,  responded  to  their 
call.  In  the  fall  of  1C46,  he  established  his  mission  on  the 
upper  Kennebec.  Pressing  duties  obliged  him,  however, 
in  the  following  May  to  return  to  Canadr..  AVith  profound 
sorrow  his  forest  children  saw  him  depart.  So  numerous 
were  the  urgent  invitations  for  his  return,  that  in  1C50  he 
again  bent  his  steps  towards  his  loved  Abnaki.  After 
four-and-twenty  days  of  hardship  he  reached  Norridgewock, 
the  chief  village  of  tlie  tribe.  All  were  in  motion,  and  amid 
a  volley  of  lirearms,  the  chief  embraced  the  missionary, 
crying:  "I  see  well  that  the  Great  Spirit  who  rules  in 
heaven  deii'ns  to  look  favorablv  on  us  since  he  sends  us 
back  our  patriarch."  The  forests  of  Maine  rang  with  their 
shouts  of  joy.  They  all  exclaimed :  "  We  have  thee  at 
last.  Thou  art  our  father,  our  patriarch,  our  countryman. 
Thou  livest  like  us,  thou  dwellest  with  us,  thou  art  an  Ab- 
naki like  us.  Thou  bringest  back  joy  to  all  the  country. 
We  had  thought  of  leaving  this  land  to  seek  thee,  for  many 
have  died  in  thy  absence.  We  were  losing  all  hopes  of 
reaching  Heaven.  Those  whom  thou  didst  instruct  per- 
formed all  they  had  learned  ;  but  their  heart  was  weary,  for 
it  sought  and  could  not  find  thee."  Thus  did  this  ancient, 
noble,  and  warm-hearted  tribe  receive  their  blackgown,  the 
envov  of  God.  Here  was  a  rich  tield.  The  words  of  truth 
fell  on  good  ground,  and  produced  a  hundred-fold.  By  his 
Indian  Hock  Father  Druillettes  was  more  than  revered — he 
was  idolized.  Hearing  him  accused  in  his  absence,  on  one 
occasion,  by  an  Englishman,  they  indignantly  exclaimed : 
"  Know  that  he  is  now  of  our  nation.  We  have  adopted 
him  into  the  tribe,  and  regard  him  as  the  wisest  of  our  chiefs ! 
We  respect  him  as  the  ambassador  of  Jesus!  Whoever 
attacks  him,  attacks  all  the  Abnaki  tribe!"* 

*The  word  Abnaki  signifies  "our  ancestors  of  the  East,"  a 
natno  given  them  by  the  other  tribes.  They  are  an  original 
people — the  most  ancient  of  the  American  race.  Soo  Father 
Vetromile's  History  of  the  Abnaki. 


The  Early  Iftdian  Missions. 


95 


Many  interruptions  attended  the  early  missions  in  Maine ; 
many  zealous  priests  labored  in  the  fruitful  field ;  and  at 
length,  every  Abnaki  was  a  devoted  follower  of  the  ancient 
faith.*  Their  territory  being  disputed  grcmnd  between 
France  and  England,  they  were  ever  the  faithful  allies  of  the 
former.  But  as  the  power  of  France  began  to  wane  on  the 
Atlantic  coast,  they  suffered  dreadful  persecutions  at  the 
hands  of  the  English — especially  the  fanatics  of  Massa- 
chusetts. "Expedition  after  expedition  spread  fire  and 
death  through  their  villages.  The  missionaries  were  driven 
out  or  slain,  and  the  churches  destroyed. "f  The  bravo 
Indians  of  Maine  were  hunted  down  because  they  professed 
the  faith  of  Columbus !  But  they  wavered  not.  Under  the 
guidance  of  the  saintly  and  valiant  Father  Kale,  S.J.,  who 
began  his  labors  among  them  in  1695,  they  stood  like  a  rock 
amid  the  surging  sea.  They  even  spumed  the  temporal 
advantages  which  were  promised  them  in  case  they  changed 
their  creed.  In  1713,  Governor  Dudley,  of  Boston,  pro- 
posed to  build  their  burned  church  if  they  would  accept  a 
minister  instead  of  the  Catholic  blackgown.  When  the 
Abnaki  orator  heard  this  singular  offer,  with  great  dignity 
he  a'*ose  and  said :  "  You  were  here  first,  and  saw  me  a  long 
time  before  the  French  governors ;  but  neither  you  nor 
your  ministers  spoK^  to  me  of  prayer,  or  the  Great  Spirit. 
You  saw  my  furs,  my  beaver  and  moose  skins,  and  of  these 
only  did  you  think.  "When  I  had  much  you  were  my 
friends,  and  only  then.  ^  *  *  ^  But  when  the  French 
blackrobe  came,  though  I  was  loaded  with  furs,  he  disdained 
to  look  at  them.  He  spoke  to  me  of  the  Great  Spirit,  of 
Heaven,  of  Hell,  of  the  prayer  which  is  the  only  way  to 
reach  Heaven.  I  heard  him,  and  was  delighted  with  his 
words.  At  last  the  prayer  pleased  me.  I  asked  to  be  in- 
structed, and  was  finally  baptized.     Thus  have  the  French 


*In  the  work  of  converting  the  Abnaki,  the  Jesuits  were  not 
nione.  Franciscans  and  secular  priests  zealously  toiled  in  the 
saiao  field. 

t  McGoo. 


96 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 


m 


acted.  Had  you  spoken  to  mo  of  the  prayer*  as  soon  as 
we  mot,  I  sliould  now  be  so  unhappy  as  to  pray  like  you  ,* 
for  I  could  not  liave  tol<l  whetlier  your  prayer  was  good  or 
bad.  Kow  I  hold  to  the  ])rayer  of  the  French ;  I  agree  to 
it ;  I  shall  be  faithful  to  it,  even  until  the  earth  is  destroyed. 
Keep  your  men,  and  your  gold,  and  your  minister.  I  will 
go  to  my  French  father !  "  The  church  was  rebuilt  by  the 
French. 

ENGLISH    ATROCITY   AGAIN. 

The  atrocious  murder  of  the  venerable  Jesuit,  Father 
Kale,  in  1724,  is  one  of  the  most  infamous  deeds  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  English  Colonics.  Long  had  the  English  thirsted 
for  his  blood.  Many  were  the  attempts  made  on  his  life. 
But  guarded  by  Heaven  and  his  faithful  Indians,  he  for 
years  escaped  the  rifle  of  the  assassin.  His  last  hour,  how- 
ever, arrived.  During  the  absence  of  the  Abnaki  warriors, 
a  force  of  English  and  pagan  Mohawks  swooped  down  on 
the  village.  As  the  aged  missionary  heard  the  I'epoi't  of 
hostile  guns,  he  rushed  from  his  little  chapel  to  aid  his  peo- 
ple. But  he  was  the  object  the  foe  sought.  "  No  sooner 
was  he  seen  than  every  musket  was  turned  upon  him,  and  he 
fell  at  the  foot  of  the  cross,  riddled  with  the  small  shot  of 
the  enemies'  firearms,  liushing  on  Jiim,  the  infuriated 
wretches  hacked  and  mangled  his  palpitating  corpse,  clove 
of>en  his  head,  broke  his  legs,  and  in  their  rage  trampled 
upon  him.  Proceeding  to  the  church,  they  rifled  the  altar, 
profaned  the  Adorable  Host,  and  fired  the  sacred  edifice  !  "f 

Thus  died  the  venerable  Sabastian  Hale,  the  profound 
Indian  scholar,  the  greatest  of  the  Abnaki  missionaries,  and 
one  of  the  most  illustrious  Jesuits  of  North  America. 

France,  in  1763,  ceded  Canada  to  England.  This  was  a 
destructive  blow  to  all  the  missions,  especially  that  of  the 
Abnaki. 

For  many  years  before  the  Revolution  these  faithful  sons 

♦The  Indians  used  iha  word  prayer  as  we  do  the  viordi  faith. 
t  Father  Fitton  :  "History  of  the  Church  in  New  England." 


The  Early  Indian  Missions, 


97 


of  Maine  were  without  a  priest.  When  the  war  of  Inde- 
pendence earae,  they  joined  our  forces,  and  took  a  noble  pait 
in  that  long  stniggle.  "  Orono,  the  Penobscot*  chief,"  says 
Dr.  Shea,  "  bore  a  commission  which  he  ennobled  by  his 
virtues  and  bravery.  In  all  his  charges  from  the  wigwam 
and  forest  to  the  cam])  and  the  crowded  city,  he  was  ever 
I'liithful  to  his  religion.  When  urged  to  frequent  Protestant 
l)laces  of  worship,  as  he  had  no  clergyman  of  Ids  own,  he 
exclaimed  :  "  We  know  our  religion,  and  love  it ;  of  you  or 
yours,  we  know  nothing !" 

When  peace  was  restored,  the  AbnaJci  sent  a  deputation 
to  Itev.  Dr.  Carroll  to  ask  for  a  missionary.  Presenting 
the  crucifix  of  Father  Rale,  the  chief  feelingly  8ai«l :  "If 
I  give  it  to  thee  to-day,  Fathei-,  it  is  as  a  pledge  and  promise 
that  thou  wilt  send  us  a  itrlest."'  They  soon  had  the  happi- 
ness of  Ficeing  another  blackgown — Father  Ciquard. 

History  presents  no  people  more  sublimely  grand  than 
the  Abnaki,  in  their  firm  attachment  to  Catholicity.  They 
were  the  first  native  Americans  to  embrace  the  faith  in  a 
body,  and  neither  the  changes  of  time,  nor  cruel  wars,  nor 
the  persecutions  of  England,  nor  even  the  terrors  of  death 
have  been  able  to  shake  their  glorious  allegiance  to  their 
God  and  their  religion. 

NEW   YORK. 

(10^^2—1713.^ 

After  Maine  comes  New  York  as  the  earliest  scene  of 
missionary  labor  in  the  North.  This  was  the  land  of  the 
renowned  Iroquois,  or  Five  Nations,  the  most  fierce  and 
powerful  Indian  clans  in  North  America.  Against  the  French 
and  the  Ilurons  of  Canada  they  waged  a  long  and  deadly 
\var. 

At  the  time  our  narrative  beiHns,  the  most  flourishinir  of 
all  the  Jesuit  missions  was  established  by  the  celebrated 

*  The  Abnaki  are  now  known  as  the  Penobscots  and  Passa- 
maquoddis. 

7 


11.  r. 


98 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 


Fatlier  do  Brebeuf  among  the  Ilnrons,  south  of  Georgian  Bay, 
in  Upper  Canada,  r'roiii  Quebeo,  ats  a  centre,  the  apostolic 
sons  of  Ignatius  sallied  forth  in  all  directions — north,  south, 
cast,  and  west.  And  from  this  distant  point  the  star  of  faith 
lirst  shone  on  the  Empire  State.  In  1042,  while  ])roceed- 
ing  up  the  St.  Lawrence  to  the  Huron  mission,  Father  Isaac 
Jogues,  S.J.,  was  made  a  prisoner  by  the  Mohawks.  Car- 
ried into  the  heart  of  -N^ew  York  State,  the  savages  exhausted 
their  fiendish  ingenuity  in  torturing  him.  After  fifteen 
months  captivity,  by  the  aid  of  the  Dutch  he  escaped  to 
New  Amsterdam,*  and,  finally,  found  his  way  back  to  his 
native  France. 


THE    FIRST   MARTYRS    OF    THE    NORTH. 

He  soon,  liowever,  returned  to  Canada,  and  at  his  own 
request  was  sent  to  found  a  mission  among  the  Mohawks. 
On  reaching  the  village  of  Caughnawaga — near  the  site  of 
which  stands  the  city  of  Schenectady — Jogues  and  his  faith- 
ful companion,  Lalande,  were  treacherously  seized,  and  fell 
beneath  the  deadly  tomahawk.  "  Thus,"  says  a  learned 
writer,  "on  the  18th  of  October,  1646,  perished  the  first 
missionary  who  bore  the  cross  within  the  territory  of  New 
York,  and  his  blood  has  not  been  shed  in  vain  for  the  faith." 

WARS    AND   MISSIONS. 

The  massacre  of  Father  Jogues  was  but  the  prehide  to  a 
new  war  on  the  part  of  the  Iroquois.  They  invaded  Canada, 
spreading  terror  and  desolation  along  their  course.  A  change 
of  policy,  however,  soon  induced  two  of  the  nations — the 
Mohawks  and  Onondagas — to  express  a  desire  for  peace.  The 
Onondagas  even  requested  missionaries.  To  test  their  dis- 
positions. Father  Le  Moyne,  S.J.,  who  may  be  regarded  as 
the  successor  of  Jogues,  was  sent  from  Quebec,  in  July, 


c 


*  Now  New  York  City. 


The  Early  Indian  Missions. 


99 


th." 


1C54,  to  visit  their  cantons.  IIo  was  kindly  received  by  tbo 
whole  tribe,  among  whom  he  remained  for  a  few  mouths, 
when  ho  returned. 

An'.ingementrt  having  been  completed,  Fathers  Chaumo- 
uot  and  Dablon  left  Canada  to  found  a  permanent  mission 
in  the  Onondaga  country.  Arrived  at  the  chief  village, 
where  they  were  warmly  welcomed,  the  J  ;8uits  called  a 
convention  of  the  tribe.  Old  and  young  p-sembled,  and 
dusky  chief  and  warrior  sat  down  to  hear  the  language 
of  peace.  Father  Chaumonot,  a  master  of  the  Indian 
tongue,  and  the  most  eloquent  of  all  the  Jesuit  mission- 
aries— except  the  renowned  lirebeuf — harangued  tlie  mul- 
titude. His  clarion  voice  and  beautiful  words  fell  like  sweet 
nuisic  on  the  ears  of  these  I'udc  and  simple  children  of  the 
f(jrcst.  Their  hearts  were  deeply  touched.  They  crowded 
around  the  priests,  chanting  their  songs  of  welcome.  "  Jlappy 
land !"  they  sang,  "  happy  land,  in  which  the  French  are  to 
dwell;"  and  the  chief  led  the  chorus:  "  Glad  tidings  !  glad 
tidings  !"  At  each  pause  all  joined  in  the  response — "  Fare- 
well, war!  farewell,  the  hatchet!  Till  now  we  have  been 
mad  ;  but  now  we  shall  be  brothers." 

Where  the  city  of  Syracuse  now  stands,  St.  Mary's  Chapel 
was  erected.  *'  By  the  zeal  of  the  nation,"  writes  Bancroft, 
"  it  was  finished  in  a  day."  "  For  marble  and  ]>recious 
stones,"  says  Father  Dablon,  "  we  employed  only  bark  ;  but 
the  path  to  Heaven  is  as  open  through  a  roof  of  bark  as 
through  arched  ceilings  of  silver  and  gold."  In  this  humble 
log  church,  on  the  14:th  -^f  November,  1055,  the  holy  sacri- 
lice  of  the  Mass  was  celebrated  for  the  first  time  in  the  State 
of  New  York.  Thus  the  Onondaga  tribe  were  iirst  evan- 
gelized ;  and  the  hills  and  valleys  of  central  New  York 
echoed  the  hymns  of  Catholicity.  But  success  excites  envy, 
and  Satan  is  angered  at  the  triumph  of  the  cross.  The  medi- 
cine-men began  openly  to  oppose  the  missionaries,  and  se- 
cretly urged  the  heathen  Iroquois — still  the  great  majonty 
— to  massacre  the  priests  and  all  the  French  in  their  midst. 
"  What  these  French  blackgowns  call   baptism,"  said  tho 


lOO  Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 


um 


dusky  ruffians,  "  is  an  evil  charm  intended  to  destroy  the 
ciiildreii  of  the  Five  Nations.  Our  safety  lies  in  tlieir  speedy 
deatli.  Tile  (lark  nii^ht  is  the  time."  Sucli  was  tlie  advice 
of  tiiese  i<;iioriint  and  wicked  conjurers — tiie  Indian  Know- 
Notiiin<jfs  of  the  seventeenth  century! 

Tlie  missionaries,  however,  learned  of  tlie  plot  in  time  to 
sav^  themselves  from  destruction.  To  lull  their  vigilance, 
the  French  gave  a  hanfjuet  to  the  tribe,  on  the  evening  of 
the  20th  of  March,  1(558.  Under  the  cover  of  night  they 
escaped  in  canoes,  and  made  their  way  to  Canada.  Such 
was  the  termination  of  the  first  (Jnondaga  mission,  after 
three  years  of  nourishing  existence. 

During  these  years  Fathers  Bressani  and  Le  Moyne  brave*! 
the  terrors  of  torture  and  death  in  their  eff<Ms  to  convert 
the  fierce  Mohawks.  The  former  was  treated  with  a  bar- 
barity that  batiles  description — losing  even  nine  of  his 
fingers  !* 

War  now  began.  For  several  years  the  battle  cry  of  tlie 
Iroquois  rang  along  the  banks  of  the  St.  Lawrence ; 
and  the  deadly  tomahawk  and  still  deadlier  ballet  whistled 
through  the  woods  of  Canada.  The  Mohawk  and  the  son 
of  France  met.  Bloody  was  the  contest,  and  loud  the  clash 
of  arms. 

The  first  to  sue  for  peace,  the  Onondagas  were  also  the 
first  to  ask  again  for  the  banished  blackgowns.  This  was 
principally  owing  to  the  intiuence  of  the  wise  and  distin- 
guished chief,  Garakontie — one  of  the  most  illustrious  char- 
acters in  the  history  of  the  Five  Nations.  Hastening  to  their 
territory,  the  venerable  Father  Le  Moyne  concluded  a  peace. 


♦  On  the  15th  July,  1644,  Father  Bressani  wrote  from  the  Iro- 
quois country  to  the  general  of  the  Jesuits,  at  Rome  :  "  I  do  not 
know  if  your  Paternity  will  recognize  the  handwriting  of  one 
whom  you  once  knew  very  well.  The  letter  is  soiled  and  ill- 
written  ;  because  the  writer  has  only  owe  finger  of  his  right  hand 
left  entire,  and  cannot  prevent  the  blood  from  his  wounds,  which 
are  still  open,  from  staining  the  paper.  His  ink  is  gunpowder 
mixed  with  water,  and  his  table  is  the  earth." 


The  Early  Indian  Missions, 


lOI 


JIo  l)Mi)ti/C(l  two  liiiiulrcd  cliildroii  (lurin;:!^  liis  stay.  For  tlio 
last  tiiMc  111'  l)Ji(li'  .idiou  to  the  land  of  the  Inxjiioif*,  in  A\i- 
«;iist,  HKJl.  J!  '  died  in  Ciuiadu  four  years  after.  Father  I.c 
^[(tyne  deserves  our  veneration  as  the  suecet-sor  of  the  niar- 
tvivd  .lo^^'ues,  "the  first  missionary  who  of  his  free  ehoiec 
pioceeded  to  the  wipvatns  of  the  terrible  Mohawks."* 

War  between  the  French  and  several  of  the  tribes  still 
eoiitin\ied.  It  was  oidy  in  Auijust,  ItJflf),  that  a  trijaty  <>f 
])eac'e  was  si<^ne<l  at  (^ueboe  between  the  French  and  all  the 
JnMjuois  nations,  save  the  proud  and  sullen  Mohawks.  The 
(iovernor  of  Canada  determined,  once  for  all,  to  i^ive  a 
severe  chastisement  to  these  obstinate  savages,  the  torturers 
of  Ih'essani,  and  the  murderers  of  Jof^ues  and  J.ahmde.  At 
the  head  of  1,200  Frencli  soldiers  and  100  Indians,  he  en- 
tered the  territory  of  the  Mohawks,  swept  their  forces 
before  him,  and  compelled  them  humbly  to  beg  for  peace. 
This  was  readily  granted  ;  and  they,  at  once,  asked  for 
mit-sionarics. 


the 
was 
tin- 
har- 
heir 
laee. 


THE   CROSS   TOWKRS    ABOVE   THE    FIVE   NATIONS. 

The  close  of  the  war  was  the  signal  for  re-establisliing  all 
the  missions.  Zealous  Jesuits  spread  themselves  over  the 
cantons  of  the  Onondagas,  Senecas,  Cayugas,  Oneidas,  and 
Mohawks.  Wonderful  are  the  ways  of  (lod.  In  ICGS, 
the  cross  towered  over  every  village  from  the  Hudson  to 
J.ake  J^rie  ;  and  the  dreaded  Mohawk  became,  above  all 
others,  a  docile  and  devoted  son  of  the  Church.  Touched 
by  grace,  the  savage  brave  and  the  proud  chieftain  were  as 
gentle  as  children.  Cauglmawaga,  on  the  Mohawk,  became 
a  mission  centre — the  greatest  in  the  Five  Nations.  It  had 
its  schools,  its  church,  its  fervent  Catholic  community. 

But  there  was  still  a  crying  cause  of  scandal,  which  pained 
the  heart  of  the  missionaries.  "  With  deep  affliction  they 
saw  that  the  Indian  convert,  whose  instruction  and  conver- 
sion had  cost  so  many  an  anxious  hour,  was  often  lost  by 


♦Dr.  J.  G.  Shea. 


H- 


If; 


■HMi 


mmmm 


1  ii  il 


1 02  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

the  bad  example  and  corruptiiif^  influence  of  his  pagan 
conntv)Tnen,  already  depraved  by  tlieir  copnection  with  the 
•whites,  and  maddened  by  the  liquor  supplied  by  the  New- 
York  traders."*  Besides,  the  Christians  were  in  many 
cases  cruelly  persecuted  by  tlieir  heathen  kindred — always 
the  majority. 

A  NEW   CAUGHNAWAGA   FOUNDED. 

Tiie  missionaries  betliought  themselves  of  a  remedy  for 
this  evil,  namely,  the  formation  of  a  colony  of  Catholic 
Indians  apart  from  the  others.  This  was  soon  carried  into 
effect ;  and  a  new  Caughnawaga  was  established  on  the 
banks  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  at  St.  Louis  Rapids,  some  miles 
above  Montreal.  This  village  was  finally  placed  on  a  firm 
basis  in  1G76,  and  contained  Catholic  representatives  from 
all  the  Iroquois  nations,  a  large  number  being  Mohawks. 
lice  they  built  one  of  the  most  beautiful  chui-ches  in  Can- 
ada, lived  up  to  the  sublime  doctrines  of  our  faith,  and 
under  the  shadow  of  the  cross,  they  found  a  promised  land 
where  prosperity  and  happiness  blessed  their  toil,  and  where 
peace  and  rehgion  cheered  them  in  life  and  in  death. 

CLOSE   OF  THE   MISSION   IN   NEW  YORK. 

But  I  must  be  brief.  Various  causes  now  led  to  the  close 
of  all  the  Iroquois  missions.  The  emigration  of  the  Cath- 
Hc  MoLa\\ks  to  Canada  terminated  the  mission  among  that 
tril)e.  Political  events  led  to  the  close  of  the  others.  Eng- 
hind  claimed  the  State  of  Xew  York,  and  by  the  treaty  of 
Utrecht,  J  Ti*^-,  France  acknowledged  her  claim.  The  pres- 
ence of  bigoted  old  England  was  the  death-knell  of  the  Cath 
olic  missions  among  the  Five  Is^ations — missions  where 
heroes  and  martyrs  taught,  and  toiled,  nor  feared  to  shed 
the  last  drop  of  their  blood. 

Such  is  an  imperfect  outline  of  tlie  New  York  Indian 
missions.     After  the  death  of  Lc  Moyne,  the  chief  laborers 


*  "  History  of  the  Catholic  Missions." 


i  ••■  X 


The  Early  Indian  Missions, 


103 


in  this  memorable  field  were  tlie  Jesuit  Fathers — Fremin, 
Briiyas,  Menard,  Gamier,  Millet,  and  De  Lamberville — 
"  names  not  born  to  die.*' 

VERMONT— An  Indian  Legend. 

From  Indian  tradition  we  learn  that  the  Faith  was  early 
])reached  in  Yennont.  In  the  summer  of  1G15,  a  Francis- 
can missionary  said  Mass  for  the  first  time  in  the  territory 
eml)raced  by  this  State.  During  a  few  mouths  he  labored 
among  the  dusky  hunters  who  roamed  the  eastern  shores  of 
Lake  Champlain.  When  the  man  of  God  reached  the  hilly 
country  east  of  St.  Albans,  '*  they  brought  to  him  the  beau- 
tif-ii  Tn<lian  maiden  of  whom  lier  race  cherish  the  legend, 
tliat  her  declining  health  led  her  people  to  bring  her  t(j 
these  hills,  hoping  the  change  from  the  low  lands  atkI  damp 
atmosphere  of  her  home  to  the  bracing  mountain  air  might 
prv,ve  beneficial.  Instead  of  finding  relief  she  only  declined 
the  more  n.pidly,  so  that  she  was  soon  unable  to  be  carried 
l>a(k.  She  had  heard  whispers  of  the  holy  men  who  had 
come  to  teach  her  race  the  path  to  Heaven,  aud  wistfully 
she  liad  sighed  daily,  as  she  repeated  the  yearning  aspira- 
tion :  '  Oh  !  if  the  Great  Spirit  would  but  let  me  see  and 
listen  to  his  messenger,  I  could  die  in  peace  ! ' 

"  The  Indians  to  this  day,  tell  with  what  joy  she  listened 
to  tlie  good  priest's  words ;  how  eagerly  she  pra}  ed  that  she 
might  receive  the  regenerating  waters  ;  how  when  they  were 
]»()nred  upon  her  head  her  countenance  became  bright  with 
the  light  of  Heaven  ;  and  how  her  departure  soon  after  was 
full  of  joy  and  peace.  Her  burial-place  was  made  on  one 
of  those  eastern  hills.  It  was  the  first  Christian  burial  f  ji- 
one  of  her  race  in  Vermont,  and  her  people  thought  her  in- 
tercession vv^ould  not  fail  to  bring  down  blessings  \ipon  all 
that  region."* 


,% 


S,%   1 


*''  The  Catholic  World:' 


in 

I:,-  ■ 


fttUH  ! 


'i'S^lifi'ni 


'iir':^^!' 


104  Catholicity  iji  the  United  States. 


WTSCONSIX  AXD  MICHIGAN. 

"AVhile  the  intercourse  of  the  Dutch,"  writes  the  learned 
Dr.  O'Ciilhighau,  "  was  yet  conliued  to  the  Indians  in  the 
vicinity  of  Fort  Orange,  and  five  years  before  Elliott,  of  New 
England,  had  addressed  a  single  word  to  the  Indians,  with- 
in six  miles  of  Boston  harbor,  the  French  missionaries 
planted  the  cross  at  Sault  Ste.  Marie,  Mdience  they  looked 
down  on  the  Sioux  country,  and  the  vallev  of  the  Missis- 
sippi."  ]Iow  sublime  was  the  activity  and  religions  enter- 
prise of  onr  Catliolic  missionaries  !  In  vain  do  we  look 
among  other  creeds  for  a  parallel. 

The  immortal  Jogues  and  his  companion,  Haymbault, 
first  planted  the  cross  in  the  far  west  on  the  npper  Lakes. 
In  the  summer  of  104:1,  their  light  canoes  skinmied  over 
the  crystal  waters  of  tlie  Huron  ;  and  reaching  the  outlet  of 
great  Superior,  they  announced  the  Faith  to  over  two  thou- 
sand Indians.  Tiiey  could  not,  however,  remain  long.  The- 
brave,  but  aged  Jesuit,  Menard,  with  his  white  hair  lioatiiig 
to  the  wind,  next  came  in  IGGO.  Proceeding  three  hundred 
miles  west  of  Sault  Ste.  Marie,  he  attemjited  to  erect  a  mis- 
sion. Alone  in  the  wilderness  he  perished  by  famine  or  the 
tomahawk.  "  Long  afterwards,"  writes  the  great  historian 
of  onr  country,  "  his  cassock  and  l)reviary  were  kept  as 
amulets  among  the  Sioux." 

Allouez  followed — for  •'  the  Jesuits  never  receded  one, 
foot'''"^' — and  in  1005  established  the  mission  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  at  La})ointe,  in  the  western  extremity  of  l^ake  Su}ve- 
rior.  The  other  famous  jnissions,  Sault  Ste.  Marie,  Grccii 
I>ay,  and  Mackinaw,  were  in  turn  erected.  In  this  v,i<le 
territory,  and  at  these  distant  pohits,  labored  Marquette, 
Dablon,  Allouez,  Drulllcttes,  Andre,  and  their  successors. 
In  many  respects  it  was  an  ungrateful  field — the  seed  of 
truth  fell  on  hard  ground.  On  one  occasion  Father  Andiv, 
while  at  Green  ]5ay,  had   his  mission-house  burned.     The 


eigh 


♦  Bancroft. 


The  Early  Indiiui  Missions. 


105 


pagans  did  it.  Tliey  detested  the  cross.  "  The  devil,"  said 
a  bardencd  old  chief  to  tlie  Father,  "  is  the  only  great  cap- 
tain ;  he  put  Christ  to  death,  and  will  kill  you." 

Like  his  Divine  Master,  the  brave  Andre  armed  himself 
with  patience,  and  at  length  touched  their  stony  hearts. 
One  hundred  years  rolled  l)y  ;  France  confiscated  the  prop- 
erty of  the  Jesuits  ;  their  society  was  suppressed,  and  the 
missions  terminated.  Father  Potier,  S.J.,  the  last  of  the 
ilhistrious  baud  which  labored  around  the  great  Lakes,  died 
in  ITSL 

THE  MISSISSIPPI  VALLEY. 

In  1673  the  "  Father  of  AVaters  "  was  discovered  by  the 
I'enowned  Marquette.  Missionaries  explored  it  from  the 
Falls  of  St.  Anthony  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  preaching  the 
Gospel  to  the  rude  and  dusky  inhabitants  along  its  banks. 
Marquette  and  AUouez  labored  among  the  Illinois.  As 
years  passed  by,  others  extended  the  field  even  to  Louisiana. 

One  of  the  most  pious  and  gifted  Catholic  ladies  of  the 
great  West  was  Mary,  the  daughter  of  the  chief  of  the 
Kaskaskias.  The  name  of  the  famous  Catholic  chief  of  the 
Illinois,  Chicago,  who  lived  during  the  early  part  of  the 
eighteenth  century,  has  become  still  nu»re  famous  as  the 
iiunic  of  a  great  and  promising  city. 

Nor  was  the  Mississippi  Valley  without  its  martyrs. 
Fathers  Poisson  and  Souel,  S. J.,  were  killed  by  the  barbar- 
ous Natchez.  The  story  of  Father  Doutreleau's  escape  from 
the  fierce  and  treacherous  Yazoos,  in  1730,  reads  like  a 
wild  tale  of  romance. 

Here  I  must  close  this  brief  account  of  the  early  Indian 
missions  in  our  country.  With  the  suppression  of  the 
.lesuits,  and  the  increase  of  English  power,  came  the  de- 
struction of  all  the  missions  from  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence 
to  Lake  Superior,  and  from  Superior  to  th.c  Gulf  of  Mexico. 
For  the  American  Indians  it  was  a  dark  day  ; 

"  But  the  darkest  day 
Will  surely  pass  awny!  " 


jtte 


^4. 


j'Ffi 


M 


ii.;:MP'l 


mm 


■I 


1 06  CatJiolicity  hi  the   United  States. 

INFLUENCE    OF    (.'ATHOLICITY    ON    THE    INDIAN. 

Catholicity  is  the  only  faith  suited  to  the  minds,  hearts, 
and  wants  of  all  men — the  ignorant  savage,  the  simple 
peasant,  or  the  profound  scholar.  No  intellect  is  too  great, 
none  too  small  to  find  that  peace  which  the  world  cannot 
give  beneath  the  shadow  of  the  cross.  Our  holy  religion 
entirely  transfonned  the  Indian.  lie  became  a  new  man  ; 
and  among  the  dusky  inhabitants  of  the  backwoods  of 
America,  Catholicity  counted  some  of  her  most  fervent  and 
devoted  children.  "  Christianity,"  says  Father  Marest,  S.  J., 
■writing  of  the  Illinois  Indians,  "  Christianity*  has  softened 
their  savage  customs,  and  their  manners  are  now  marked  by 
a  sweetness  and  purity  which  have  induced  some  of  the 
French  to  take  their  daughters  in  marriage.  We  find  in 
them,  moreover,  a  docility  and  ardor  for  the  practice  of 
Christian  virtues.  The  following  is  the  order  we  observe 
each  day  in  our  mission :  Early  in  the  morning  we  assemble 
the  catechumens  at  the  church,  where  they  have  prayers, 
receive  instructions,  and  chant  some  canticles.  When  they 
have  retired.  Mass  is  said,  at  which  all  the  Christians  assist, 
the  men  placed  on  one  side  and  the  women  on  the  other ; 
then  they  have  prayers,  which  are  followed  by  giving  theai 
a  familiar  sermon,  after  which  each  one  goes  to  his  labor. 
We  then  spend  our  time  in  visiting  the  sick,  to  give  them 
the  necessary  remedies,  to  instruct  them,  and  to  console 
those  who  are  laboring  under  any  affliction.  Afternoon  the 
catechi&ing  is  held,  at  which  all  are  present — Christians  and 
catechumens,  men  and  children,  young  and  old  ;  and  where 
each,  without  distinction  of  rank  or  age,  answers  the  ques- 
tions put  by  the  missionary.  As  these  people  have  no 
books,  and  are  naturally  indolent,  they  would  shortly  forget 
the  principles  of  religion  if  the  remembrance  of  them  was 
not  recalled  by  these  almost  continual  instructions.  Our 
visits  to  their  wigwams  occupy  the  rest  of  the  day.  In  the 
evening  all  assemble  again  at  the  church,  to  listen  to  the 


♦Letter  of  1712. 


TJic  Early  Indian  Alissions. 


107 


instructions  that  are  given,  to  say  tlioir  prayers,  and  to  sing 
some  lijmus.  On  Sundays  and  festivals  we  add  to  tlie 
ordinary  exercises  instructions,  which  arc  given  after 
Vespers.  The  zeal  witli  which  the.se  good  neophytes  repair 
to  tlie  church  at  all  hours  is  adnn'rable  ;  they  break  off  from 
tlieir  labors  and  run  from  a  great  distance,  to  be  there  at  the 
appointed  time.  They  generally  end  the  day  by  private 
meetings,  which  they  hold  at  tlieir  own  residences,  the  men 
separately  from  the  M'omen  ;  and  thei'e  they  recite  the  rosary 
in  alteiTiate  choirs,  and  chant  the  liynms,  until  the  night 
is  far  advanced.  These  hvmns  are  their  best  instructions, 
which  they  retain  the  more  easily,  since  the  words  are  set 
to  airs  with  wdiich  they  are  acquainted,  and  which  please 
tliem.  They  often  approach  the  sacraments,  and  the  custom 
among  them  is  to  confess  and  communicate  once  a  fort- 
night. AVe  have  been  obliged  to  ap]3oint  particular  days 
(»!i  which  they  shall  confess,  or  they  would  not  leave  us 
leisure  to  discharge  our  other  duties.  These  are  the  Fridays 
and  Saturdays  of  each  week,  and  on  these  days  we  are  over- 
whelmed with  a  crowd  of  penitents.  The  care  which  we 
take  of  the  sick  gains  us  their  confidence  ;  and  it  is  par- 
ticularly at  such  times  that  we  gain  the  fruit  of  our  labors. 
Their  docility  is  then  perfect ;  and  we  have  generally  the 
consolation  of  seeing  them  die  in  great  peace,  and  with  the 
firm  hope  of  being  shortly  united  to  God  in  Heaven." 


If 


I 


A   COMPARISON. 

Catholic  civilization  cherished  and  elevated  the  Indian. 
It  carried  out  the  sublime  maxim  :  "  J)o  unto  others  as  you 
Would  that  they  should  do  unto  you."  But  did  not  Protest- 
uiiti.sm  with  its  boasted  charity  and  liberality  do  the  same  ? 
Truth  compels  me  to  say  no  !  "  The  tribes  evangelized  by  the 
French  and  Spaniards,"  writes  Dr.  J.  G.  Shea,  "  subsist  to 
this  day,  except  where  brought  in  contact  with  the  colonists 
ot  England,  and  their  allies  or  descendants ;  while  it  is 
notorious  that  the  tribes  in  the  territory  colonized  by  Eng- 
land have  in  many  cases  entirely  disappeared  and  perished 


io8  Catholicity  in  the  UniUd  States, 

witliout  ever  having  tlie  Gospel  preached  to  tliom.  They 
live  only  in  name  on  the  rivers  and  mountains  of  our 
land." 

The  voice  of  past  ages  cannot  he  stilled.  The  accusing 
accents  of  thousands  of  poor  exterminated  Indians  rise  from 
the  hidden  graves,  and  the  ear  of  history  cannot  be  deaf  to 
the  mournful  sounds.  The  Puritans  of  New  England 
utterly  destroyed  a  great  number  of  tribes ;  but  they  did  not 
convert  even  oiie  to  Chi'istianity.  "  AVhere  now,"  writes  the 
learned  Arcld)ishop  Spalding,  "  are  the  numerous  and  flour- 
isliing  tribes  of  I*^ew England?  Wiiere  are  tlie  Pokanokets, 
the  Narragansetts,  the  Pequods,  and  the  Mohegans,  to  say 
nothing  of  other  tril)es  ?  All  have  disappeared  f I'om  the 
face  of  the  earth,  thanks  to  the  cold-blooded  policy  and 
heai-tless  cniclty  of  the  Puritans !  They  all  vanished  at 
the  first  dawn  of  English  civilization  !  " 

One  time  it  is  Winslow  and  his  forces,  who,  with  nothing 
but  the  inght  of  might  on  their  side,  swoop  down  on  tlie 
villages  of  the  Narragansetts,  spreading  tiro,  and  death,  and 
destruction  around  them.  Nothing  escaped  their  savage 
vengeance — not  even  the  Indian  babes !  "  Their  old  men, 
their  women,  their  hahes^''  says  Bancroft,  '■'perished  hy  hun- 
dreds hi  the  fire  /"  When  the  English  attacked  the  Pe- 
quods, the  same  cold-blooded  cruelty  was  exercised.  "  We 
Tnust  hum  them!''''  shouted  Mason  to  his  soldiers.  Men, 
women,  and  children  perished,  "most  of  them,"  writes 
Bancroft,  "  in  the  hideous  conflagi'ation  !  "  Great  God  !  if 
this  was  not  hurning  zeal  for  the  unfortunate  red  man, 
where  shall  we  find  it  ? 

The  early  statute  book  also  bears  traces  of  the  singular 
'  VH  the  Puritan  had  for  the  Indian.  The  following  law 
/  ;  '\i8sed  in  Massachusetts  in  1675  :*  "  Ordered  J>y  the 
'  vv'  that  whosoever  shall  shoot  off  a  gun  on  any  unneces- 
<<?  I,//    occasion,  or  att  any  game  whatsoever,  excei't  at  an 


*  The  same  year,  be  it  remarked,  that  the  renowned  Marquette 
gave  up  his  soul  to  Ciod  on  the  lone  shores  of  Lake  Michigan 
laboring  for  the  salvation  of  the  Indians  I 


The  Early  Indian  Missions, 


109 


Indian  oe  a  Woolfe,  shall  forfeit  five  shillings  for  every 
such  shotU  till  further  liberties  shall  he  (jivcn.""^ 

Such  are  a  few  glimpses  at  the  unjust  and  shameful  policy 
tliat  guided  Protestant  counsels  in  dealing  ^vith  the  Indian. 
This  was  the  rule.  If  there  were  honora])le  exceptions — 
individual  efforts — they  were  both  few  and  far  between. 
(Contrast  such  atrocious  conduct  with  the  heavenly  action 
of  Catholicity!  Think  of  her  martyr-niis>sionaries  —  the 
lion  hearted  Brebeuf,  the  saintly  Jogues,  and  a  host  of 
other  immortal  Catholic  heroes!  The  spirit  that  animated 
them  yet  survives. 

It  hath  not  perished  from  the  earth,  that  spirit  brave  and  high, 
That  nerved  the  martyr  saints  of  old  with  dauntless  love  to  die; 
Indeed,  it  hath  not  perished,  God  hath  His  soldiers  yet, 
Even  in  this  latter  time  of  ours,  earth  with  their  blood  is  wet! 


ravage 
men, 
hun- 
.  Pe- 

Men, 
writes 

od!  it 
man, 

nffular 
,g  law 
ly  the 
nneces- 

AT   AN 

Hrquette 
lichigan 


SOMETHING    TO    PONDER. 

Our  divine  Saviour  was  Himself  the  first  and  greatest  of 
Catholic  missionaries.  He  sent  forth  His  Apostles  saying  : 
"  Go,  teach  all  nations."  They  obeyed  with  joy.  Their 
successors  followed  up  the  heavenly  work.  To-day  they 
continue  it.  Would  we  know  those  Christian  heroes  and 
through  them  the  true  Church  ?  Then,  let  us  demand  of 
history  the  name  of  the  grand  Institution  which  taught,  and 
which  continues  to  teach,  "  all  nations  " — the  proud  Roman, 
the  fiery  Celt,  the  warlike  Frank,  the  fierce  Teuton,  the 
rude  Saxon,  the  indolent  Asiatic,  the  roving  American  In- 
dian; let  us  demand  of  history  the  name  of  the  sublime 
Institution  which  did  not  quail  before  pagan  persecution 
and  the  mighty  power  of  the  Caesars ;  which  converted 
Constantino  and  made  Clovis  bow  to  the  cross ;  which 
educated  St.  Peter,  St.  Paul,  St.  Augustine,  St.  Jerome,  St. 
Ambrose,  l^t.  Patiick,  St.  Bede,  St.  Columbia,  Alfred  the 
Great,  Charlemagne,  St.  Bernard,  St.  Thomas  Aquinas,  St. 

*  Colonial  Blue  Laws,  quoted  by  Archbishop  Spalding  in  his 
Miscellanea^  p.  364. 


Tm^ 

T    m 

i| 

^Kf 

.A 

^^^uSt3 

?  \ 

i  I 

t't'iM^^ 

%  i 

^i^ESi 

t    1 

^      ^^H 

T*        0! 

■ 

i:i::i 


^^'■M 


no  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

Francis  Xavier,  St.  Francis  de  Sales,  Brebouf,  Jogiies,  Mar- 
quette, Bossnet,  Fenelon,  Balmcs,  Carroll,  England,  Hughes, 
De  Smet,  Mcliale,  andMc(Jloskcy ;  which  preserved  learn- 
ing and  literature  amid  tlic  dai'k  eliaos  of  barbarian  inva- 
sion ;  which  taught  men,  for  the  first  time,  that  they  were 
equal,  and  struck  the  shackels  from  the  feet  of  the  slave  ; 
which  instructed,  converted,  and  civilized  all  Europe  ;  which 
discovered  America,  spread  thb  light  of  the  Gospel  from 
Greenland  to  Cape  Horn,  and  was  the  only  true  friend  the 
Indian  ever  had ;  which  has  annals  like  a  wondrous  chain, 
connecting  the  days  of  the  Apostles  with  the  age  of  the 
Centennial :  and,  if  our  search  is  made  with  sincerity,  and 
by  the  light  of  impartial  history,  we  shall  learn  that  this 
marvellous  teaching  body  is  no  other  than  that  divine,  un- 
changeable institution — tlie  Catuolic  CnuKcn.  Examine 
it,  and  admire  the  handiwork  of  an  Almighty  Architect ! 
Nearly  nineteen  hundred  years  have  rolled  by,  and  unlike 
man  and  his  frail  works,  the  Church  exhibits  no  signs  of 
decay  I  The  Lord,  at  her  right  hand,  has  broken  kings  in 
the  day  of  His  wrath !  Generations  and  empires  pass  away, 
but  she  is  still  the  same !  She  saw  the  beginning,  and  she 
will  see  the  end  I 


iU 
;'  f 

m 


:!    \ 
'I  \ 


FATHER  ISAAC  JOGUES,     ..., 

The  Apostle  of  New  York. 

"  Know  how  fiublime  a  thino;  it  Is 
To  suffer  and  be  Htrouj;."— Longfellow. 

"This  living  martyr  half  clad  in  shaggy  fiiw,  kneeling  on  the  snow  among  the 
iciclcd  rocks,  is  alike  a  theme  for  the  pen  and  a  subject  for  the  pencil,"— Pakkman. 

One  of  the  brightest  names  in  the  missiionary  history  of  Anier- 
ica  is  that  of  Father  Isaac  Jogues.  Ho  was  born  in  the  city  of 
Orleans,  France,  on  January  10,  1607.  At  tlie  early  ago  of 
seventeen  he  entered  the  Society  of  Jesus,  and  having  laid  a 
solid  foundation  of  virtue,  and  gone  through  a  brilliant  course 
of  study,  he  was  ordained  in  1036. 

Earnestly  desiring  a  foreign  mission,  Father  Jogues  was  sent 
to  Canada  ;  and  in  the  summer  of  1630,  he  first  beheld  tho 
riiinparts  of  the  since  famous  city  of  Quebec.  He  was  at  onco 
sent  to  the  Hurons  of  Ontario,  among  whom  the  illustrious 
Brebeuf  had  already  toiled  several  years.  Here  in  the  snows  of 
winter  and  the  heat  of  summer,  amid  the  trackless  wilds  of 
Canada,  did  the  noble  young  French  priest  preach  the  Gospel  to 
an  ungrateful  and  savage  race.  Little  we  know  of  the  hardships 
of  these  apostolic  men  amid  the  primeval  forests  of  a  northern 
clime.  Then,  a  journey  was  something  far  different  from  a 
sieamboat  excursion  of  our  day,  on  the  Hudson  or  the  St.  Law- 
rence. 

On  one  occasion  Father  Jogues  and  his  companion,  in  mid- 
winter, were  sent  to  open  a  mission  among  the  Indians  of  the 
Tobacco  Nation.  Their  course  lay  from  the  village  of  Ste. 
Marie  to  a  point  near  where  the  present  town  of  Collingwood 
stands — a  distance  of  some  thi'*ty  or  forty  miles.  Though  un- 
able to  find  a  guide,  they  coirrageously  set  out  on  their  pious 
expedition.  The  forests  were  full  of  snow,  and  the  soft  moist 
Hakes  were  still  falling  thickly,  obscuring  the  air,  weighing  to 
the  earth  the  boughs  of  spruce  and  pine,  and  hiding  every  foot- 
print of  the  narrow  path.  The  Fathers  missed  their  way,  and 
toiled  on  till  night,  shaking  down  at  every  step  from  the  bur- 
dened branches  a  shower  of  fleecy  white  on  their  black  cassocks. 
Night  overtook  them  in  a  spruce  swamp.  Hero  they  made  a  fire 
with  great  difllculty,  cut  tho  evergreen  boughs,  piled  them  for  a 

(III) 


ft 


(4 


V 


-  n- 


1 1 2  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

bod,  and  lay  down  ;  and,  "praised  bo  God,"  writes  ono  of  the 
travoUors,  "  wo  pnsjsod  a  very  good  niglit."* 

A  morsel  of  corn-broad  formed  their  breakfast,  and  immedi- 
ately tliey  resumed  tlieir  journey.  Witliout  resting  they  pnslied 
along  tlie  dreary  route,  till  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening  found 
tliem  Hearing  the  lirst  Toba(!co  town,  which  consisted  of  a 
cluster  of  miserable  huts.  Here  they  were  most  unweic  me 
guests.  The  old  I'uritans  of  New  !']ngland  did  not  fear  witches 
more  tlian  tho  r(;d  skins  of  the  Tobacco  tribe  did  t!'0  mysterious 
strangers.  The  savages  did  not  fancy  that  tho  Jesuits  had  any 
such  appendage  as  horns  ;  but  they  were  sure  tho  new-comers 
were  dreaded  conjurers!  With  such  a  reputation  in  advance  of 
them,  Joguos  and  his  companion  had  little  Indian  courtesy  to 
expect.  And  they  got  little.  As  tho  exhausted  travellers  en- 
tered ono  of  the  cabins,  a  sight  met  tlieir  gazewhlc.'i  would 
have  been  a  strange  one  by  daylight;  it  was  doul)ly  so  by  the 
flicker  and  glare  of  the  lodge-Hres.  Scowling  brows,  side-long 
looks  of  distrust  and  fear,  the  screams  of  scared  children,  the 
scolding  of  squaws,  tho  growling  of  wollish  dogs — this  was  tho 
greeting  of  tlie  strangers.  However,  a  rude  repast  was  given 
them.  But,  when  tho  priests  knelt  down  to  their  devotions, 
the  head  of  tho  cabin  began  to  curse  and  harangue :  "  Now  what 
are  those  manitous  doing  ?  They  are  making  charms  to  kill  us. 
I  heard  they  were  magicians ;  and  now  when  it  is  too  late,  I 
believe  it."  It  was  certainly  astonishing  that  some  enraged 
savago  did  not  send  a  swift  tomahawk  into  their  unoffending 
heads ! 

Having  spent  Ave  years  among  the  Huron  missions  of  Canada, 
Father  Jogues  penetrated  westward  and  preached  tho  Faith  at 
Sault  Ste.  Marie,  on  Lake  Superior.  Thus  he  was  the  first  to 
plant  the  cross  on  the  soil  of  Michigan. 

In  order  to  obtain  supplies  for  his  new  mission,  ho  proceeded 
to  Quebec  in  1G42.  In  the  summer  of  that  year  he  was  return- 
ing with  a  party  of  Hurons,  numbering  about  forty,  in  twelve 
canoes.  While  quietly  paddling  along  the  St.  Lawrence,  near 
the  present  town  of  Sorel,  they  fell  into  an  Iroquois  ambuscade. 
Nearly  all  w^ere  killed,  or  taken.  Father  Jogues  and  his  com- 
panion, Goupil,  were  among  the  captives. 

The  victorious  savages  returned  by  way  of  the  Richelieu  River 
and  Lake  Champlain,  through  Lake  George  to  the  Mohawk 
towns.     On  reaching  a  spot,  near   which  stands  the  historic 


*  "The  Jesuits  In  North  America." 


The  Early  Indian  Missions. 


1^3 


Ticonderoga,  tho  rotuminK  party  was  mot  by  another  band  of 
f^omo  two  hundred  Mohawk  warriors.  Hero  on  the  side  of  a  hill 
the  prisoners  were  8ubje<!ted  to  tlio  most  cruel  treatment  for  tlio 
amusement  of  their  ferocious  eaptors.  Th«;  fndians  formed  two 
lines,  each  warrior  bein^  first  supi)lied  witli  a  heavy  kii()tt«;d 
stiek.  Thn.UKli  the  narrow  passajje  between  the  two  lines,  and 
up  the  steep  height,  the  unhappy  captives  w«;re  obliged  to  wend 
their  way.  Heavily  and  rapidly  fell  tho  blows  of  the  Indian 
clubs.  While  this  severe  beating  were  going  on,  tho  rocks  and 
valleys  echoed  the  hideous  yells  of  the  savages.  This  inhuman 
punishment  was  called  running  tho  gauntlet.  Joguos,  who  was 
last  in  tho  line,  fell  powerless,  drenched  in  blood  and  half 
dead.  As  tho  chief  nuin  among  tho  French,  ho  fared  tho  worst.* 
They  afterwards  nmngled  his  hands  and  applied  flro  to  his 
body.  Thus  tho  first  Catholic  priest  who  trod  tho  soilofN^w 
York  State  watered  it  with  his  martyr-blood.  From  tho  eleva- 
tion on  which  ho  stood  a  beautiful  expanse  of  water  mot  tho 
gaze  of  tho  heroic  Jesuit.  It  is  now  known  as  Lake  George. 
Father  Jogues  was  the  first  white  man  who  saw  it.  It  is  to  bo 
sincerely  hoped  that  this  delightful  lake  will  yet  bear  tho  hon- 
ored name  of  the  saintly  missionary,  rather  than  that  of  a 
worthless  English  king. 

In  a  frightful  condition,  half-starved,  and  carrying  a  heavy 
load,  Father  Jogues  was  compelled  to  push  on. 

Thirteen  days  passed  away  on  his  painful  journey  from  the 
banks  of  the  St.  Lawrence  to  the  Iroquois  villages  on  the  banks 
of  the  Mohawk.  Here  he  was  again  twice  obliged  to  run  tho 
gauntlet,  which  he  happily  terms  "the  narrow  road  to  Para- 
dise!" In  fact,  his  torments  had  merely  begun.  Joint  by  joint 
nearly  all  his  fingers  were  cut  off.  His  feet  were  similarly  muti- 
lated ;  while  they  burned  his  naked  body  with  red-hot  irons. 
These  cruelties  were  repeated  in  tho  various  Mohawk  towns 
through  which  ho  was  obliged  to  pass.  The  mind  fairly  revolts 
at  the  terrible  recital  of  his  sufi'erings.  The  good  Father's 
young  French  companion,  the  brave  and  pious  Goupil,  had 
.likewise  to  undergo  the  most  cruel  torments.  Ho  was  seen 
instructing  a  child  to  make  tho  sign  of  the  cross,  and  the  deadly 
touuihawk  finished  his  holy  career.  The  young  hero  died  raur- 
nuiring  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ.  "He  was,"  writes  Father 
Jogues,  "a  martyr,  not  only  of  obedience,  but  of  faith  and  tho 
cross!" 

A  bigoted  Hollander  had  informed  the  ignorant  savages  that 

*  Parkman. 
8 


1" 


•  '    !  A 


■InvIE: 


1 14  Catholicity  tn  the  United  States, 

tho  8lgn  of  tlio  cross  "camo  from  tho  <l»nil  !"  IIoncG  thoir  fmr 
of  it,  and  tho  torriblo  voiigcanco  which  foil  on  tho  devoted  head 
of  tho  innocortt  (ioupil. 

Father. I  o^'ues'  painful  captivity  lasted  for  fifteen  long  months 
— months  which  wore  not  spent  in  vain.  Like  a  good  angol  ho 
passed  around,  and  God  passed  with  him.  So  far  as  his  rc- 
strnints  would  allow,  ho  instructed  children,  and  baptizerl  dying 
infants — thus  transforming  littlo  savages  into  littlo  angels,  lie 
comforted  numerous  Huron  prisoners,  heard  their  confessions, 
and  encouraged  them  to  meet  the  terrors  of  death  with  manly 
fortitude  and  Christian  resignation.  Yes,  even  ho,  the  noble 
Jogues,  had  his  moments  of  consolation.  It  is  true,  lie  was 
among  a  race  of  the  most  ferocious  savages.  But,  then,  tho 
happiness  of  opening  Heaven  to  even  one  soul  1 

On  a  certain  occasion  while  in  company  with  some  Huron  pri.s- 
oners,  he  was  thrown  an  ear  of  corn  for  his  meal.  To  the  husks 
there  clung  a  few  drops  of  rain-water,  and  with  these  ho  bap- 
tized two  captive  converts. 

His  own  fate  he  know  not.  His  life  hung  by  a  hair.  Ho  lived 
in  daily  expectation  of  the  tomahawk,  and  would  have  welcomed 
it  as  a  boon.  But  each  day  with  renewed  astonishment,  he  found 
himself  still  among  the  living.  Often  would  ho  wander  among 
the  forest  wilds  of  New  York,  saying  his  beads,  raising  his 
heart  to  God,  and  repeating  pas.sages  of  Scripture.  "  On  a  liill 
apart,"  writes  Bancroft,  "  ho  carved  a  long  cross  on  a  tree;  and 
there  in  tho  solitude,  meditated  tho  Imitation  of  Christ,  and 
soothed  his  griefs  by  reflecting  that  he  alone,  in  that  vast  region, 
adored  the  true  God  of  earth  and  Heaven.  Roaming  tlirough 
the  stately  forests  of  the  Mohawk  valley,  ho  wrote  the  name 
of  Jesus  on  tho  bark  of  trees,  engraved  the  .:rv"»ss,  and  entered 
into  possession  of  these  countries  in  tho  naiav  of  God — often 
lifting  up  his  voice  in  a  solitary  chant."  "This  living  martyr, 
half  clad  in  shaggy  furs,  kneeling  on  the  show  among  theicicled 
rocks,  and  beneath  the  gloomy  pines,  bowing  in  adoration 
before  the  emblem  of  the  faith  in  which  was  his  only  consola- 
tion and  his  only  hope,  is  alike  a  theme  for  tho  pen  and  a  sub- 
ject for  tho  pencil."* 

Father  Jogues'  days  of  captivity,  however,  drew  to  a  close. 
The  Dutch  of  Fort  Orange,  with  much  difficulty  effected  his 
release,  generously  paying  a  large  sum  for  his  ransom.    And  for 


♦  PaiUman. 


7 he  Early  Indian  Missions. 


115 


the  fhtjt  time  a  Catholic  and  a  mnrtyr-priost  sailed  down  that 
l)t'(uitifiil  river, 

"  Whore  HuilHon'a  wnvo  o'er  silvery  snndn 
Winds  tliri)u,i,'»i  tlic  hills  ufur." 

On  arriving  at  Now  Anistordani  now  Now  York  city),  ho 
WHS  rooeivod  with  much  honor  by  Governor  Kioft,  with  whom 
ho  roinainod  for  sonio  timo.  Thi.s  wa.s  in  tho  fall  of  104M.  SIuii- 
huttan  Island  was  then  a  rude  place,  containing  about  live  hun- 
(lii'd  inhabitants,  a  niotloy  crowd  of  ho  many  nationalities, 
that  tho  Governor  informed  Father  . I ogues  that  eighteen  lan- 
guages wore  spoken  in  their  midst.  Tho  good  Jesuit  found  just 
tiro  (Jatholics — a  young  Irishman  and  a  Portuguese  wonmn.  Tho 
warni-heartod  son  of  Erin  had  tho  honor  and  happiness  of  nuik- 
ing  his  confession,  and  receiving  absolution  from  tho  nuirtyr  of 
the  tierce  Mohawks,  tho  lirst  priest  who  ever  set  foot  on  lilan- 
hattan  Island.  This  was  the  first  timo  tho  Sacrament  of  Pen- 
ance was  administered  in  tho  great  Empire  City,  which  is  now 
the  see  of  a  Cardinal-Archbishop,  and  contains  fifty  Catholic 
churches. 

Tho  hospitable  Governor  Kief t  gave  Father  Jogues  a  new  suit 
of  clothes — something  ho  was  painfully  in  need  of — and  pro- 
cured him  a  passage  in  the  first  vessel  bound  for  the  shores  of 
In  btlk  France.  A  storm  wrecked  the  vessel  on  tho  coast  of  Eng- 
land, and  the  martyr-Jesuit  fell  into  the  hands  of  some  thievish 
Mreckers — a  band  of  men  little  removed  in  barbarism  from  tho 
uncivilized  Mohawks,  that  ranged  tho  forests  of  Now  York.  Ho 
was  stripped  of  everything  he  possessed.  Even  his  clothes  were 
not  spared.  However,  after  many  hardships  ho  found  his  way 
across  tho  English  Channel  in  a  collier's  bark,  and  was  landed 
on  tho  shores  of  Brittany,  on  Christmas-day,  1643. 

"  In  a  rude  sailor's  coat,"  says  Do  Courcy,  "  dragging  himself 
along,  with  pain,  leaning  on  a  stall',  tho  venerable  Jesuit  was 
no  longer  recognized.  Hospitality  was  cordially  extended  to 
him  in  a  peasant's  cot;  here  ho  was  invited  to  share  their  morn- 
ing meal,  but  tho  missionary's  only  thought  was  to  celebrate 
duly  the  festival  by  receiving  the  holy  Eucharist,  and  he  had  the 
nearest  church  pointed  out  to  liim,  where  he  had  tho  happiness 
of  approaching  the  altar.  For  sixteen  months  the  pious  relig- 
ious had  been  deprived  of  communion.  Tho  good  Bretons 
lent  him  a  hat  and  a  little  cloak  to  appear  more  decently  in 
church.  They  thought  him  to  bo  one  of  those  unfortunate  chil- 
dren of  Catholic  Erin,  whom  persecution  frequently  drove  to 


(    % 


4 


rr 


l'p'% 


li-r  'i' 


11  hm'"^ 


ii6  CaiJiolicity  zu  the    United  States. 

the  shores  of  France ;  but,  when  on  his  return  from  Mass,  his 
cliaritable  lio.sts  «iw  the  horrible  condition  of  his  hands,  Father 
Joguos  was  compelled  to  satisfy  their  pious  curiosity,  by  mod- 
estly relating  his  history,  and  the  peasants  of  Leon  fell  at  his 
feet  overwliolmed  with  liity  and  admiration.  He  himself  relates 
how  the  young  girls,  moved  by  his  account  of  his  misfortunes, 
gave  him  their  little  alms.  'They  came,'  says  ho,  'with  so  mucli 
generosity  and  modesty,  to  offer  me  two  or  three  pence,  which 
was  ijrobably  all  their  treasure,  that  I  was  moved  to  tears.' " 

]3y  the  assistance  of  these  good  peasants  Father  Jogues  was 
enabled  to  roach  the  city  of  Rennes,  which  contained  a  college 
of  his  Order.  It  was  early  morning,  and  when  the  porter  came 
to  tlie  door  to  answer  the  call,  he  beheld  a  poor,  and  almost 
deformed  beggar.  The  stranger  humbly  asked  if  he  could  see 
the  liector.  The  porter  hastily  answered,  that  he  was  about  to 
say  M-vss,  and  could  not  be  seen  at  that  hour.  ''  But,"  persisted 
the  stranger,  "tell  him  that  a  poor  man  from  Canada  would 
gladly  speak  with  him."  The  Father  Rector  was  putting  on  his 
vestments,  v/hen  the  porter  whispered  the  message  to  him.  At 
the  name  "Canada,"  which  was  the  gieat  missionary  field  of 
French  Jesuits,  the  Superior  disrobed,  and  hastily  proceeded  to 
the  parlor.  The  poor  and  ragged  traveller  handed  him  a  letter 
of  character  from  Governor  Kieft.  AVithout  even  glancing  at 
it  the  Rector  quickly  inquired  : 

"  Are  you  from  Canada  ?" 

"Yes." 

"  Do  you  know  Fathor  Jogues  ?" 

"Very  well." 

"  The  Iroquois  have  taken  him,"  continued  the  Rector;  "  is 
he  dead?    Have  they  murdered  him?" 

"No,"  answ^ercd  Jogues,  "he  is  alive,  and  at  liberty,  and  I 
am  he."  As  ho  uttered  these  words  he  fell  on  his  knees,  ask- 
ing his  Superior's  blessing. 

That  was  a  \  ly  of  joy  in  the  College  of  Rennes.  Great  was  the 
rejoicing  among  his  follow-religlous  over  all  France.  They  sup 
posed  him  dead,  and  his  sudden  rp-appearance  amongst  them 
was  something  extraordinary.  At  the  French  court  he  was 
received  as  a  saint  and  martyr.  Queen  Ann,  of  Austria,  kissed 
his  mutilated  hands.  The  nobility  and  ladies  of  the  court  vied 
in  exhibiting  their  deep  sentiments  of  respect  and  veneration 
for  him.  Indeed,  tho  slave  of  the  Mohawks  became  the  revered 
and  "admired  of  all  admirers."  The  Pope  granted  hin.  *,  spe- 
cial dispensation  to  celebrate  Mass  with  his  mutilated  hands, 


ma 


The  Early  I7idia7i  Missions. 


117 


Baying:  "It  would  bo  unjust  to  refuse  a  martyr  of  Christ,  the 
privilege  of  drinking  the  blood  of  Christ. " 

It  was  the  desire  of  all  that  Father  Jogues  should  remain  in 
France;  but  he  sighed  after  his  American  missions,  and  returned 
to  Canada  in  1645.  In  July  of  the  next  year  he  was  present  at 
the  peace  negotiations  at  Three  Rivjrs,  between  the  French  and 
llurons  and  the  Mohawks.  This  event  led  him  to  conceive 
briglit  hopes  of  founding  a  permanent  mission  among  the  Iro- 
quois. In  May,  1646,  he  set  ont  with  a  companion  for  the  Mo- 
hawk castles,  to  confirm  the  peace  already  made.  On  this  jour- 
ney he  again  passed  by  Lake  George,  to  which  he  gave  the  name 
of  Lake  St.  Sacrament.  Having  established  peace  on  what  he 
considered  a  Arm  basis,  Father  Jogues  returned  to  Canada  with 
the  mtention  of  making  all  the  necessary  preparations  for  the 
conversion  of  the  Five  Nations. 

He  returned  a  second  time  with  his  young  companion,  La- 
lande,  in  September,  1646.  The  venerable  man  had  a  singular 
presentiment  of  his  fate,  for  previous  to  his  leaving  Canada,  ho 
said  to  a  friend:  "I  shall  go,  and  shall  not  return."  He  had 
scarcely  reached  the  confines  of  the  Mohawk  Nation  when  his 
danger  became  apparent.  A  little  box  which  he  had  left  behind 
on  his  first  visit  was  nov/  returned  to  him.  The  bad  crops,  the 
sickness,  and  all  the  mischief  that  had  befallen  the  nation  were 
attributed  to  the  mysterious  box!  This  sealed  his  fate.  Sud- 
denly seizing  the  holy  missionary,  some  Mohawks  cut  ' '  strips 
of  flesh  from  his  back  and  arms,"  at  the  same  time  cruelly 
taunting  him.  "You  shall  die  to-morrow!"  was  his  stern  sen- 
tence. The  star  of  his  earthly  hope  had  set.  Like  our  Divino 
Lo  'd,  he  was  to  water  the  scene  of  his  labors  and  his  sufferings 
with  the  last  drop  of  his  drop.  Next  day  the  awful  tomahawk 
did  its  appointed  work — the  saintly  and  immortal  Jogues  was 
no  more!  A  brave  Iroquois  warrior,  who  extended  his  arm  to 
shield  the  martyr  Jesuit  from  the  death  blow,  had  that  limb 
put  off.  "  Thus  died,"  says  Parkman,  "  Isaac  Jogues,  one  of  the 
liurest  examples  of  Roman  Catholic  virtue  which  this  Western 
Continent  has  seen," 

The  faithful  L.'ilande  .also  met  his  death  bravely. 

High  on  the  palisades  of  the  village  of  Cauglmawaga  was 
placed  the  head  of  Father  Jogues,  while  his  body  was  thrown 
into  the  Mohawk.  The  city  of  Schenectady  stands  near  the 
spot  where  ho  received  the  fatal  blow.  His  glorious  death 
occurred  in  his  thirty-ninth  year,  and  on  tiJO  ISth  of  October, 
16  J  6. 


\A\ 


I 


ij  \ 


1 1 8        Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

Christian  heroism,  gentleness,  and  nobility  were  predominat- 
ing elements  in  the  beautiful  character  of  Father  Jogues.  His 
modest,  thoughtful,  and  refined  nature  shone  through  the  deli- 
cate moulds  of  his  finely-chiselled  countenance.  Though  slight 
of  frame,  his  activity  was  so  great  that  few  or  none  of  the  In- 
dians could  surpass  him  in  running.  His  power  of  endurance 
was  remarkable.  Ho  was  also  a  man  of  surpassingly  fine  liter- 
ary tastes,  and  an  accomplished  scholar.  In  the  historical  fir- 
mament of  the  Empire  State,  his  name  shines  like  a  beautiful 
star. 

The  hero  of  a  Faith  subUme, 

He  lived  on  earth— but  not  for  time  ! 


•    II 


FATHER  JAMES  MARQUETTE,  S.J., 


The  Discoverer  of 


Apostle  of  the 


Mississippi,  and  i 
Mississippi   Valley. 
"  In  hia  life  he  did  great  wonders,  and  in  liis  dcatli  lie  wronglit  miracles."— Eccles 

Never  were  the  words  of  the  Holy  Book,  that  "the  humble 
shall  be  exalted,"  more  truly  fulfilled  than  in  the  illustrious 
subject  of  this  sketch.     He  fled  from  fame.     He  despised  the 

fleeting  glory  of  earth.    Yet,   both  sought  him followed  him 

like  his  own  shadow  !    In   the  constellation  of  our  great  ex- 
plorers, he  shines  the  brightest  star. 

James  Marquette  was  born  at  the  ancient  seat  of  his  family, 
in  the  city  of  Laon,  France,  in  the  year  1637,  The  Marquettes 
were  a  noble  stock  of  high  antiquity  and  martial  spirit,  whose 
members  have  constantly  figured  in  the  dazzling  wars  of  France. 
Our  own  Republic  is  not  without  its  obligations  to  the  valor  of 
the  Marquettes,  thi'ee  of  whom  died  here  in  the  French  army 
during  the  Revolutionary  war.  James'  father  was  a  worthy 
representative  of  his  ancient  house;  while  his  mother  was  Rose 
de  La  Salle,  a  lady  of  distinguished  piety,  and  a  near  relative  of 
the  venerable  John  Baptist  de  la  Salle,  founder  of  the  Brothers 
of  the  Christian  Schools. 

He  received  an  excellent  education,  his  pious  mother  develop- 
ing in  his  character  one  of  its  most  beautiful  traits — childlike 
and  sublime  devotion  to  the  Immaculate  Virgin.  In  his  seven- 
teenth year  he  entered  the  Society  of  Jesus.  Fourteen  years  of 
ehcifacter-building  —  of  retreat,  study,  and  teaching — passed 
away,  and  he  was  in^'ested  with  the  sacred  dignity  of  the  priest- 
hood. Taking  St.  Francis  Xavier  as  his  patron  and  model,  he 
ardently  sought  a  foreign  mission  to  some  heathen  people.  Soon 
his  wish  was  gratified. 

"  Buoyant  with  life  and  health  "  he  landed  at  Quebec  on  Sep- 
tember 20,  1666.  At  Three  Rivers,  eighteen  months  glided  by  in 
the  study  of  the  Algonquin  and  Huron  languages.  He  was 
appointed  to  the  Lake  Superior  missions,  and  began  that  long 
and  painful  journey,  of  many  hundred  miles,  over  rivers,  lakes, 
and  wilderness,  which  led  to  his  destination.  In  1668  ho 
founded  the  famous  mission  of  Sault  Ste.  Marie,  "  and  planting 
his  cabin  at  the  foot  of  the  rapids,  on  the  American  side,  ho 
began  his  missionary  career."  He  instructed,  labored,  and  soon 
built  a  church — the  first  sanctuary  of  the  faith  raised  at  that 
cradle  of  Christianity  in  the  "West.  But  a  missionary  was  urgently 
(U«) 


'4: 


120         Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


m-'W'\ 


tmH 


H  I'HU 


\m.\\ 


needed  for  Lapointo,  and  to  "that  ungrateful  field,"  Marquette 
with  joy  bent  his  steps.  Here,  indeed,  it  was  up-hill  work.  The 
Ottawas  and  Ilurons,  among  whom  he  was  now  stationed,  were 
fearfully  corrupt.  As  ho  himself  testifies,  they  were  "  far  from 
the  kingdom  of  God,  being  above  all  other  nations  addicted 
to  lewdness,  sacrifices,  and  juggleries."* 

In  the  letter  quoted  (dated  1669),  Father  Marquette  for  the 
first  time  mentions  the  Mississippi.  He  says:  "When  the 
lllinoist  came  to  Lapointe  they  pass  a  large  river,  almost  a  league 
wide.  It  runs  north  and  south,  and  so  far  that  the  Illinois,  who 
do  not  know  what  canoes  are,  have  never  yet  heard  of  its 
mouth,  *  *  *  'pijig  gi'^at  river  can  hardly  empty  in  Virginia, 
and  we  rather  believe  that  its  nioutli  is  in  California.  If  the  In- 
dians who  promise  to  make  me  a  canoe  do  not  fail  to  keep  their 
word,  we  shall  go  into  this  river  as  soon  as  we  can  with  a 
Frenchman  and  this  young  man  |,  given  me,  who  knows  some 
of  the  languages  ;  we  shall  visit  the  nations  which  inhabit  it,  in 
order  to  open  the  way  to  so  many  of  our  Fathers  who  have  long 
awaited  this  happiness.  This  dis.^ovcry  will  also  give  us  a  com- 
plete knowledge  of  the  southei'n  and  western  sea." 

However,  the  clouds  of  war  were  gloomily  overshadowing 
Lapointe.  Provoked  by  the  Hurons  and  Ottawas,  the  fierce 
Sioux  swooped  down  on  their  villages  and  obliged  them  to  fly. 
Father  Marquette  followed  his  fleeing  Hurons  to  Mackinaw, 
founded  the  mission  of  St.  Ignatius  there,  and  built  a  chapel  in 
1671.  This  rude  log  church  "  was  the  first  sylvan  shr^ae  raised 
by  Catholicity  at  Mackinaw," 

The  star  of  hope  which  lit  up  his  fancied  pathway  to  the 
"  Father  of  Waters,"  now  grew  dim,  and  at  last  faded  almost 
out  of  view.  Still  he  hoped  against  hope,  labored  among  his 
Indians,  and  fervently  prayed  to  the  Most  Blessed  Virgin  to 
obtain  for  him  the  privilege  of  discovering  the  great  river, 
and  of  spreading  the  light  of  the  Gospel  among  the  dusky  in- 
habitants of  its  banks. 

Two  years  passed  away;  and  one  day  late  in  the  fall  of  1673,  a 
canoe  approached  Mackinaw,  and  landed.  It  contained  Jolliet,  a 
French  Canadian  gentleman  of  learning  and  experience,  who  had 
orders  from  the  Count  de  Frontenac,  Governor  of  Canada,  to 
go  on  the  discovery  of  the  Mississippi,  taking  Father  ^Marquette 
as  his  companion  and  guide,     "The  day  of  the  Immaculate 


*  Maniuette's  letter  to  hia  Superior,  Le  Mercier. 

t  An  Indian  tribe  from  whom  tlic  State  of  Illinois  derives  its  name, 

}  A  young  Ottawa  Indian, 


The  Early  Indiaii  Missions. 


121 


Conception  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,"  says  the  snintly  priest, 
"  whom  I  had  always  invoked  since  I  have  been  in  this  Ottawa 
country  to  obtain  of  God  the  grace  to  bo  able  to  visit  the 
nations  on  the  Mississippi,  was  identically  that  on  wliicli  Mr. 
JoUlet  arrived."  Father  Marquette  was  enraptured  at  the  good 
news.  The  whole  winter  was  spent  in  making  the  necessary 
preparations.  A  rude  nmp  of  the  river  was  drawn  up  from  in- 
formation received  from  the  Indians,  and  all  facts  of  any 
value  were  carefully  made  in  note-books.  "  The  discovery  was 
dangerous,  but  it  was  not  to  be  rash;  all  was  the  result  of  calm, 
cool  investigation,  and  never  was  chance  less  concerned  than  in 
the  discovery  of  the  Mississippi  "*  In  the  terse  words  of  Father 
^hiniuette :  "We  took  all  possible  precautions  that,  if  our  entei*- 
prise  was  hazardous,  it  should  not  be  foolhardy." 

On  the  17th  of  May,  1673,  two  canoes  with  Marquette,  .Tolliet, 
and  five  men  set  out,  and  their  nimble  i)addles  cut  the  bright 
surface  of  Lake  3Iichigan.  They  soon  x'eached  (xroen  Bay. 
Here  Marquette  tells  us :  "I  put  our  voyage  under  the  protection 
of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Immaculate,  promising  her  that  if  she  did 
us  the  grace  to  discover  the  great  river,  I  would  give  it  the  name 
of  Conception."  They  proceeded  up  Fox  River,  crossed  by  a 
portage  to  the  Wisconsin,  sailed  down  that  stream,  and  reached 
the  mouth  of  the  long-desired  Mississippi,  which,  says  Mar- 
quette, "  we  safely  entered  on  the  17th  of  June,  with  a  joy  that 
I  cannot  express." 

The  Jesuit  was  a  close  observer,  and  attentively  remarked  all 
the  peculiarities  of  the  renowned  river — birds,  beasts,  fishes, 
plants,  trees,  Indians — nothing  escaped  his  scientific  eye.  His 
acuteness  of  observation  was  only  equalled  by  his  descriptive 
power.  His  own  narrativef  of  the  exploring  voyage  is  a  charm- 
ing piece  of  composition.  Quickly  their  light  canoes  fled  down 
the  mighty  stream,  "proceeding  on  their  way  amid  a  solitude 
frightful  by  its  utter  absence  of  man."  At  length,  on  the  25th 
of  June,  they  saw  foot  prints  on  the  shore,  and  a  beaten  path 
leading  to  a  beautiful  prairie.  Here  they  landed,  and  leaving 
their  men  to  take  care  of  the  canoes,  Marquette  and  Jolliet 
dh'ected  their  steps  inland  to  an  Illinois  village, where  they  were 
well  received  with  a  great  many  savage  ceremonies.  Jolliet  told 
tliem'^that  he  represented  the  Governor  of  Canada,  the  re- 
nowned white  chief;  and  that  Marquette  was  the  ambassador 


*  Jesuit  liclations. 

f  To  be  found  in  Dr.  Shea's  ^^  Discovery  and  Exploration  of  the  Mi^nisdppV 


!     ^i 


11 

Hi 

ifll 

122  Catholicity  iji  the  United  States. 

of  the  Great  Spirit.  After  the  usual  greetings,  the  grand  Sachem 
arose  and  said:  "  I  tliank  the  blackgown  and  the  Frenchman 
for  taking  so  much  pains  to  come  and  visit  us;  never  has  the 
earth  been  so  beautiful,  nor  the  sun  so  bright  as  to-day !  *  *  * 
I  pray  thee  take  pity  on  me  and  all  my  nation.  Thou  knowest 
the  Grreat  Spirit  who  has  made  us  all;  ask  him  to  give  me  life 
and  health,  and  come  and  dwell  with  us  that  we  may  know 
him."*  He  then  made  them  presents,  among  others  u  valuable, 
but  all-mysterious  calumet. 

"This  council,"  says  Marquette,  "  was  followed  by  a  great  feast 
that  consisted  of  four  courses,  which  we  had  to  take  with  all 
their  ways.  The  first  course  was  a  great  wooden  dish  of  saga- 
nimity — Indian  meal  boiled  in  water  and  seasoned  with  grease. 
The  master  of  ceremonies,  with  a  spoonful  of  saganimity,  pre- 
sented it  three  or  \ov.r  f  •  '  o  my  mouth,  as  we  would  do  with 
a  little  child.  He  did  i  >  ue  to  Mr.  Jolliet.  For  a  second 
course  he  brought  in  a  second  dish  containing  three  fish;  he 
took  some  pain"  to  inncve  the  bones,  and  having  blown  upon 
it  to  cool  it,  put  it  in  my  ■.  mtn.,  as  we  would  food  to  a  bird. 
For  the  third  course,  they  produced  a  large  dog  which  they  had 
just  killed,  but  learning  that  we  did  not  eat  it,  it  was  withdrawn. 
Finally,  the  fourth  course  was  a  piece  of  wild  ox,  the  fattest 
portions  of  which  were  put  into  our  mouths."  Then  came  the 
parting,  amid  numerous  ceremonies.  Nearly  six  hundred  In- 
dians escorted  the  priest  and  his  companion  to  their  canoes, 
and  saw  them  embark. 

After  passing  through  many  adventures  and  dangers — too 
numerous  to  relate— they  reached  the  mouth  of  the  Arkansas. 
Here  they  halted,  and  after  much  deliberation,  resolved  to 
return.  Marquette  and  his  companions  learned  all  they  wished 
to  know — "  that  the  Mississippi  undoubtedly  had  its  mouth  in 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico."  By  proceeding  further  they  might  fall  into 
the  hands  of  the  Spaniards,  then  at  war  with  the  French. 

On  the  17th  of  July,  they  turned  the  prows  of  their  canoos 
about,  and  began  the  painful  and  laborious  work  of  ascending 
and  stemming  the  currents  of  the  majestic  river.  Green  Bay 
was  reached  four  months  after  their  departure  from  it. 

"Had  all  the  voyage,"  says  Father  Marquette,  "caused  but 
the  salvation  of  a  single  soul,  I  should  deem  all  my  fatigue  well 
repaid  ;  and  this  I  have  reason  to  think,  for,  when  I  was  return- 
ing, I  passed  by  the  Indians  of  Peoria,  who  brought  me  to  the 

*  Marquette's  Narrative, 


■'!}!  Via 


The  Early  Indian  Missions, 


123 


water's  edge  a  dying  child,  which  I  baptized  a  little  before  it  ex- 
pired." Subliiiie  man,  to  him  the  salvation  of  one  soul  was  more 
tlian  all  his  discoveries  !  According  to  Spark's  "  Life  of  Mar- 
quette," the  entire  distance  traversed  by  the  saintly  explorer  and 
JoUiet  was  2,767  miles — a  good  subject  for  the  easy-going  people 
of  to-day  to  ponder  I 

Jolliet  proceeded  to  Canada  to  publish  the  news  of  the  great 
discovery  to  the  world,  while  the  humble  Marquette  remained  at 
Green  Bay  to  recruit  his  declining  health  before  renewing  his 
labors  among  the  Indians.  "He  sought  no  laurels,  he  aspired  to 
no  tinsel  praise."  By  an  accident  in  shooting  one  of  the  St. 
Lawrence  rapids,  Jolliet  lost  his  map  and  papers — a  circum- 
stance that  gave  a  double  value  to  Father  Marquette's  map.  The 
latter  was  afterwards  published  by  the  Superior  at  Paris.  A  good 
copy  of  it  maybe  seen  in  Dr.  Shea's  "Discovery  and  Exploration 
of  the  Mississippi,"  a  valuable  work  of  much  learning  and  re- 
search. 

The  remaining  part  of  the  story  of  Marquette's  heroic  life  is 
short,  but  sublime.  His  superhuman  labors  had  broken  down 
his  youthful  frame.  During  the  winter  of  1674,  he  lay  on  his  sick 
couch,  the  victim  of  a  complication  of  diseases.  When  the  sum- 
mer of  the  same  year  arrived,  and  his  good  health  had  partly 
returned,  he  received  the  necessary  orders  to  establish  amission 
among  the  Illinois — in  fulfillment  of  his  promise,  when  descend- 
ing th6  Mississippi.  On  the  25th  of  October,  he  set  out  for  Kas- 
kaskia.  Leaving  Green  Bay,  with  two  men  and  a  number  of 
Indians,  he  coasted  along  the  western  shore  of  Lake  Michigan, 
reaching  the  Chicago  River  in  December.  Weak  in  health,  with 
a  severe  winter  staring  him  in  the  face.  Father  Marquette  could 
not  think  of  making  the  overland  journey  to  Kaskaskia.  He 
determined  to  winter  where  he  was,  his  two  faithful  French  com- 
panions remaining  with  him.  His  rude  winter-cabin  was  erected 
on  the  site  of  the  since  great  city  of  Chicago.  Frequently  he 
playfully  told  them  that  that  was  his  last  voyage,  that  his  end 
was  near. 

Hearing  of  his  illness,  the  Illinois  in  great  grief  sent  a  depu- 
tation to  visit  their  blackgown.  He  received  the  Indians  with 
great  kindness,  promising  to  make  every  effort  to  reach  their 
village,  were  it  but  for  a  few  days.  "  On  this,"  says  Marquette, 
"  they  bid  me  take  heart  and  stay  and  die  in  their  country,  as  I 
had  promised  to  remain  a  long  time."  The  In  Jians  then  returned 
to  their  winter  camps. 

His  sickness  did  not  prevent  him  from  spending  that  long  win- 


124  Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 

ter  in  prayer,  meditation,  and  retreat.  Feeling  his  weakness 
daily  increase,  and  fcuiring  he  would  not  bo  able  to  fulfil  his 
promise  to  the  Illinois  ho  and  his  companions  had  recourse  to 
the  most  Blessed  Virgin  by  a  novena.  Their  prayer  was  heard. 
As  spring  returned,  so  did  aportion  of  th?  good  priest's  strength. 

On  the  8th  of  April,  he  reached  Kaskaikia,  and  was  received 
as  an  angel  from  Heaven.  On  the  Monday  of  Holy  Week  ho 
began  his  instructions.  Soon  a  rustic  altar,  adorned  with  pic- 
tures of  the  Most  Blessed  Virgin,  was  erected,  and  Mass  cele- 
brated for  the  first  time  in  his  new  mission.  Chiefs  and  warriors, 
young  and  old,  gathered  around  their  beloved  blackgown;  and, 
there,  at  least,  the  seeds  of  the  Gospel  fell  on  good  ground. 

Easter  was  past,  and  his  Illinois  mission  established,  when  the 
painful  malady  returned  with  renewed  force.  Well  aware  that 
he  had  reached  the  boundary  line  of  life,  the  indomitable  Jesuit 
set  out  for  Mackinaw,  hoping  to  die  among  his  religious  brethren. 
He  passed  by  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Joseph  River,  proceeding  to 
the  north  along  the  eastern  shore  of  Lake  Michigan.  "His 
strength  now  gradually  failed,  and  he  was  at  length  so  weak 
that  he  had  to  be  lifted  in  and  out  of  his  canoe  when  thoy  landed 
each  night." 

A  hero  to  his  latest  breath,  he  neglected  none  of  his  priestly 
duties.  Every  day  ho  recited  his  breviary,  and  made  a  medita- 
tion on  death.  On  Friday  evening  he  told  his  two  French  com- 
panions witli  a  face  radiant  with  joy,  that  to-morrow  was  to  be 
his  last  day  on  earth.  He  pointed  out  the  banks  of  a  little  river, 
at  a  point  where  it  fell  into  the  lake,  as  the  spot  where  he  wished 
to  die.  Calmly  and  carefully  he  gave  all  the  directions  for  his 
burial;  and  for  the  last  time  heard  the  confessions  of  the  two 
men,  who  wept  like  little  children.  Embracing  them,  he  asked 
their  pardon ;  and  taking  his  crucifix  in  his  sick  hand,  he  looked 
at  the  sacred  emblem,  thanking  Grod  for  granting  him  the  grace 
to  die  alone,*  a  Jesuit,  and  a  missionary  of  Jesus  Christ.  His 
last  words  were,  '■'■Mater  Dei  Memento  Met  " — Mother  of  God,  re- 
member me.f  And  thus  on  the  lone,  wild  shores  of  Lake  Mich- 
igan, died,  in  his  thirty-eighth  year,  on  Saturday,  the  18th  of  May, 


*  This  may  seem  strange.  But  It  muBt  b(?  remembered,  that  his  grent  pat- 
ron was  St.  Francis  Xiivier,  who  died  on  the  loue  shores  of  an  Eastern  sea. 

t  Jesuit  Relations.  "The  river  where  he  died,"  writes  Parlcman,  "is  a 
small  stream  in  the  west  of  Michigan,  some  distance  soutli  of  the  promon- 
tory called  the  '  Sleeping  Bear.'  It  long  bore  his  name,  which  is  now  borne  by 
a  larger  neighboring  stream."    "  Discovery  of  the  Great  West,"  p.  71. 


'iiM 


The  Early  hidian  Missions, 


125 


1675,  Father  James  Marqnette,  the  first  explorer  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, and  the  Apostle  of  the  Illinois. 

Ho  was  a  man  who,  in  all  that  constitutes  real  greatness,  hero- 
ism, and  sublimity  of  life,  commands  the  admiration  of  our  coun- 
try. Often  invoked  as  the  angel  guardian  of  Lake  Michigan, 
more  than  one  miracle  has  been  'wrought  by  his  holy  interces- 
sion. 

In  disposition,  Father  Marquette  was  full  of  sunshine,  joy,  and 
even  playfulness.  His  letters  reveal  him  to  us  as  a  polished  and 
profound  scholar.  He  was  the  first  to  give  a  theory  of  the  lake 
tides,  and  science  has  not  added  one  iota  to  his  discovery  and 
explanatior  If  the  Society  of  Jesus  produced  but  Father  Mar- 
quette alone,  it  would  be  forever  entitled  to  the  lasting  gratitude 
of  all  true  Americans. 


I 


!  ( 


ill'  ) 


life  '5 


'imi 


mm:\ 


M'tm 


CATIIP^RINE    TEHGAHKWITA, 
27ie  Saintly  3Iohatvk  Maiden. 

The  Hublimo  influence  of  Cutholuuty  on  the  life  of  the  Indian 
is  nowliero  bettor  illustrated  than  in  the  saintly  subject  of  this 
brief  sketch.  She  is  t?ie  Indian  virgin  jmr  excellence.  While  the 
great  chiefs  and  lordly  sachems  of  her  once  powerful  and  war- 
like race  are  forgotten,  the  name  of  this  simple  and  pure-souled 
girl  is  held  in  honor  and  veneration.  More  than  one  able  pen 
has  told  the  charming  story  of  her  heroic  and  innocent  life.  I 
shall  chiefly  follow  Father  Cholenek,  S.J.,  (her  confessor,  under 
whom  she  made  her  first  communion,  who  gave  her  the  last 
sacraments,  and  was  present  at  her  holy  death,)  in  his  long 
and  interesting  letter  to  his  Superior  concerning  her. 

Catherine  was  born  at  Caughnawaga,*  the  chief  town  of  the 
Mohawks,  situated  on  the  Mohawk  river,  in  1656,  about  ten 
years  after  the  martyrdom  of  Father  Jogues  at  the  same  place. 
Her  father  was  a  heathen  Mohawk  chief;  her  mother,  a  Chris- 
tian Algonquin.  They  had  two  children — a  boy  and  a  girl.  The 
Iroquois  missions  had  not  yet  been  opened  by  the  Jesuits,  and 
no  opportunity  had  arisen  to  have  the  children  baptized,  when 
the  ravages  of  the  small-pox  carried  away  Catherine's  father, 
mother,  and  little  brother,  leaving  her  an  orphan  at  the  age  of 
four  years.  She  was  taken  into  the  family  of  her  undo,  one  of 
the  leading  chiefs  of  the  tribe. 

The  small-pox  having  weakened  her  eyes,  she  was  unable  to 
bear  the  glare  of  light,  and  hence  was  obliged  to  remain  whole 
days  shut  up  in  the  wigwam.  By  degrees  she  began  to  love 
seclusion,  and  thus  her  modesty  and  purity  were  partly  shielded 
from  rude  contact  with  a  corrupt  and  savage  society.  As  she 
grew  older,  she  became  very  active  and  serviceable  to  her  aunts. 
She  ground  the  corn,  went  in  search  of  water,  and  carried  the 
wood;  for  such,  among  the  Indians,  were  the  common  employ- 
ments of  young  gii'ls.  The  rest  of  her  time  she  spent  in  the  man- 
ufacture of  various  little  articles,  for  which  he  possessed  an  ex- 
traordinary skill.  Her  industry  guarded  her  innocence.  Among 
the  Indian  women,  idleness  was  the  source  of  an  infinite  number 
of  vices.  They  had  an  extreme  passion  for  gossiping  visits,  and 
showing  themselves  in  public  places,  where  they  could  display 


*  The  citv  of  Schenectady  stands  uear  the  site  of  this  ancient  Indian  town. 
(12^)        .... 


The  Early  Indian  Missions, 


127 


\t 


all  their  trinkets  and  finery — a  sort  of  vanity  not  by  any  means 
conflnod  to  civilized  nations. 

In  1GG7  Father  Freniin  and  two  other  Jesuits  visited  the 
Mohawk  castles  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  mission  among 
that  tribe.  They  arrived  at  a  tim'^  when  the  people  were  plunged 
into  all  sorts  of  social  riot  and  intemperance.  No  one  but 
Catherine,  then  eleven  years  of  ago,  was  in  a  fit  state  to  receive 
thoiu.  She  lodged  the  missionaries,  and  with  singular  modesty 
and  sweetness,  attended  to  all  their  wants.  The  dignified  and 
courteous  manners  of  the  Jesuits,  and  their  regular  habits  of 
prayer — all  deeply  impressed  this  simple  child  of  the  forest. 
She  never  forgot  this  first  sight  of  the  noble  blackgowns.  She 
even  intended  to  ask  for  baptism  ;  but  her  modest  reserve  pre- 
vented her,  and  in  a  few  days  the  priests  directed  their  steps  to 
other  villages  in  the  v^-lley  of  the  Mohawk. 

>Vhen  the  young  maiden  became  of  marriageable  age,  many 
trials  beset  her  pathway.  Her  relations'  wishes  were  not  hors. 
These  sensual  and  ignorant  savages  understood  not  the  lofty 
motives  which  inclined  her  to  a  single  life.  She  admired,  loved 
purity  long  before  she  understood  the  excellence  of  that  beau- 
tiful virtue.  Hence  she  was  persecuted  as  an  obstinate  girl — 
treated  as  a  slave.  But  arming  herself  with  a  sweet  i)atience 
— constant  as  it  was  admirable — this  simple  child,  amid  the 
forests  of  New  York,  baffled  the  rude  efforts  of  her  bitterest 
foes. 

Father  James  De  Lamberville,  S.J.,  came  to  erect  a  mission 
at  Caughnawaga,  in  1675.  With  a  secret  joy  Catherine  attended 
the  daily  prayers  and  instructions.  Her  long-cherished  desire 
of  becoming  a  Christian  was  increased;  still  she  feared  the  hos- 
tility of  her  pagan  uncle,  in  whose  power  she  entirely  was. 
Even  her  timid  modesty  sealed  her  lips.  But  an  occasion  to 
open  her  heart  soon  presented  itself.  Some  days  after  Lamber- 
ville's  arrival,  while  most  of  the  village  were  in  the  field  or 
woods,  he  began  to  visit  the  cabins  to  iustruct  the  sick,  and 
such  as  remained.  A  wound  in  Catherine's  foot  had  kept  her  at 
liome.  Joy  lighted  up  her  girlish  countenance  as  the  good 
priest  entered.  At  once  she  confided  to  him  her  desires,  the 
long-treasured  wish  of  her  heart  to  be  a  Christian,  the  oppo- 
sition of  her  friends,  their  intention  to  compel  her  to  marry,  to 
which  she  was  strongly  disinclined.  Delighted  as  the  mission- 
ary was  to  have  discovered  such  simplicity,  candor,  and  cour- 
age, he  was  far  from  hastening  her  baptism.  The  winter  was 
spent  in  instructing  her,  and  in  examinhig  the  character  she  had 


/.. 


128  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


m  < 


till  then  borne.  Even  hor  ononiies  paid  their  tribute  of  respect 
to  her  really  beautiful  character.  With  a  holy  joy  she  roceivMcl 
baptisin  on  Easter  Sunday,  1076,  and  was  named  Catherine, 
whicli  t'ih'nilleH  pure.     She  was  tlien  in  her  twentieth  year. 

"  Faithful  to  hor  conscience,"  says  Dr.  Shea,  *'  when  unaided 
by  the  Gospel  light,  Catherine,  as  may  easily  be  Eupposod,  now 
gave  her  soul  entin^ly  to  Ood.  Her  devotions,  her  austerities, 
her  good  works,  were  at  once  determined  upon  and  persoveringly 
practiced  in  spito  of  the  obstacles  raised  by  her  kindred.  Sun- 
days and  holidays  beheld  her  the  sport  of  their  hatred  and 
cniolty  ;  refusing  to  work  in  the  fields,  she  was  compelled  to 
fast,  for  they  deprived  her  of  food.  She  was  pointed  at  by  the 
children,  and  called  in  derision  '  the  Cliristian.''  A  furious  bravo 
once  dashed  into  tlie  cabin  to  tomahawk  her,  but  awed  by  her 
calm  and  dignified  mien  as  she  knelt  to  receive  the  blow,  ho 
slunk  back  as  from  a  superior  being. "  Worse  than  all — more 
painful  than  all — black  calumny  raised  its  "viper-head  "  against 
hor.  She  bore  the  dreadful  trial  with  sublime  meekness;  and 
her  sweet  innocence  finally  lived  it  down.  But  she  sought 
peace,  and  that  inestimable  blessing  was  not  to  be  found  in  the 
society  of  the  corrupt  pagans  of  her  native  town.  Her  Chris- 
tian countrymen,  it  will  be  remembered,  had  formed  a  village 
on  the  banks  of  the  mighty  St.  Lawrence,  near  the  rapid  above 
Montreal.  For  this  she  sighed,  as  for  the  promised  land.  Fi- 
nally, after  many  adventures  and  dangers — one  of  which  was  a 
miraculous  escape  from  the  tomahawk  of  her  furious  pagan 
uncle — she  reached  the  new  Caughnawaga,*  in  Canada. 

Here,  as  she  grew  in  age  she  advanced  in  gi-aco  and  virtue. 
Having  seen  the  nuns  of  Ville  Marie,  and  learned  their  mode 
of  life,  she  desired  as  far  as  possible  to  imitate  them,  and  con- 
secrate herself  to  God,  not  by  a  simple  promise,  such  as  she  had 
already  made,  but  by  a  vow  of  perpetual  virginity. 

"Who  will  teach  me,"  she  would  exclaim,  "what  is  most 
agreeable  to  God,  that  I  may  do  it  ?"  Her  confessor  tried  her 
a  long  time  before  he  would  consent  to  let  her  pronounce  the 
desired  vow,  which  she  finally  made  on  the  Feast  of  the  Annun- 
ciation with  great  fervor,  after  receiving  holy  communion. 
From  this  to  her  precious  death,  her  path  was  far  from  being 
ono  of  roses.  But  her  beautiful  life  was  drawing  to  a  close. 
She  took  sick  in  the  fall  of  1679,  and  her  weakness  increased  as 
the  winter  passed  away.    When  Holy  Week  arrived,  she  sank 


non. 


*  Caughnawaga  signifieB  "  the  Rapids."' 


The  Early  Indian  Missions. 


129 


rapidly,  and  Hoveral  days  bclnro,  inforiiiod  lior  confessor  of  the 
moment,  day,  and  hour  at  which  her  death  wouhl  occur.  On 
Holy  WednoHday,  1C8(),  about  3  o'clock  in  the  aft«)rnoon,  after 
receiving  the  lost  sacranientH  with  seraphic  devotion,  she 
b  *hed  her  last.  Just  before  departing  she  sweetly  murmured 
t.  ames  of  Jesus  and  Mary.  Thus  died  Catherine  Tehgahk- 
wita,  the  Lily  of  the  Mohawks,  the  Guardian-Angel  of  the  swift 
and  mighty  Rapid,  near  which  are  her  tomb  and  the  great  cross 
tiiat  towers  above  it.  Hoon  this  became  a  point  for  pilgrims, 
"where  the  prelate  and  the  viceroy  came  alike  to  kneel  and 
pay  homage  to  exalted  virtue,  as  they  invoked  on  themselves 
and  th(Mr  charge  tiio  blessings  of  Heaven."  Many  well-authen- 
ticated cures  have  been  wrought  by  her  intercession;  among 
others  that  of  Father  Colombiero,  canon  of  the  Cathedral  of 
Quebec,  in  1606;  and  Du  Luth,  Commander  of  Fort  Frontonao 
(Kingston),  who,  by  a  novena  to  her  in  1696,  was  cured  of  the 
gout  which  tormented  him  for  over  twenty-three  years. 

On  the  23d  of  July,  1843,  a  beautiful  cross,  twenty-five  feet 
hi''  was  erected  over  Catherine's  tomb.  There,  were  assem- 
bl  e  Indians  of  Caughnawaga,  headed  by  their  missionary 

and  chiefs.  Hundreds  of  French,  Irish,  English,  and  Americans 
gathered  around  to  witness  the  imposing  ceremony.  The  cross 
was  blessed  by  the  Vicar-General  of  Montreal,  and  "then  slowly 
raised  amid  the  chants  of  the  church,  the  thunder  of  the  can- 
non, and  the  mingled  shouts  of  the  men  of  many  climes  and 


races. 


How  did  she  walk  this  sun-dlmtned  earth  so  purely, 
Her  white  robes  gathered  from  Its  tarnish  free  ? 
How  did  she  guide  her  fragile  bark  securely 
O'er  the  wild  waves  of  life's  tempestuous  sea  ? 
Ah  !  'twas  her  ceaseless  care  to  "  vtatch  and  pray  ^^ — 
To  call  on  Him  whom  winds  and  waves  obey ! 

9 


Ma 


i<*M 


Si^U 


DANIEL  GARAKONTIE. 

"the  mii^d's  the  standard  op  the  man." 

The  state  of  New  York  has  produced  few  men  whose  lives  are 
more  worthy  of  study  and  admiration  than  that  of  Garakontit*, 
the  wise  and  eloquent  Indian  chief.  Bom  at  Onondaga,  ho  was 
the  nephew  of  the  famous  Tododho,  long  the  great  sachem  ot 
tho  Iroquois  league.  The  name,  Garakontit',  which  signifies 
"the  sun  that  advances,"  was  prophetic  of  his  bright  future. 

In  1655,  when  Fathers  Chaumonot  and  Dablon  came  to  open 
the  first  mission  among  the  Onondagas  they  met,  among  other 
chiefs,  one  in  the  prime  of  life,  possessing  great  influence,  which 
he  had  gained,  not  on  the  war-path,  but  in  the  wigwams  of  the 
council,  v.'here  he  was  noted  for  his  eloquence,  ability,  and 
political  wisdom.  This  was  the  subject  of  our  brief  sketch.  It 
is  the  first  we  hear  of  hun. 

He  often  listened  with  attention  to  the  pointed  and  eloquent 
language  of  Chaumonot,  but  gave  no  exterior  sign  that  he 
believed  in  the  new  doctrines  preached  by  the  Jesuit.  Carefully, 
but  silently  the  shrewd  chief  studied  the  principles  of  Catho- 
licity, the  lives  led  by  the  missionaries,  and  the  system  of 
civilization  they  were  gradually  endeavoring  Lo  introduce  among 
his  nation.  He  approached  these  subjects  in  the  spirit  of  a  wise 
philosopher,  and  came  to  the  conclusion  that  Christian  civiliza- 
tion and  the  Christian  religion  were  the  only  remedies  for  the 
effectual  preservation  of  his  people.  Still,  he  strictly  kept  his 
thoughts  to  himself.  He  did  not  jom  with  the  converts  in  their 
worship,  and  at  length  the  mission  ended. 

The  fierce  war  of  1658,  and  succeeding  years,  between  the 
French  and  Iroquois  now  began.  It  was  then,  and  not  till  then, 
that  Garakonti6  exhibited  his  real  sympathies.  He  openly 
became  the  protector  of  the  Christians — the  earnest  advocate 
of  peace.  And  it  was  principally  through  his  influence  that 
peace  was  itually  restored.  The  blackrobes  were  invited 
back,  and  to  the  day  of  his  death  the  eloquent  chief  was  the 
Arm  friend  of  religion  and  the  French.  His  aid  and  his  counsels 
were  ever  at  the  service  of  the  missionaries. 

For  the  settlement  of  an  important  question,  an  assembly  of 
chiefs  met  the  Governor  of  Canada,  at  Quebec,  in  the  fali  of 
1669.  The  illustrious  Bishop  Lavttl— tuy  first  prelate  in  Canada 
-  and  all  the  chief  oflicers  of  the  povernuiont  attended  the  con- 

(120) 


*Dr. 

tAt  t 
C'ariiula) 

C'alhuJi, 


The  EaiHy  Indian  Missions. 


131 


ference.  When  it  came  Garakontifi  's  turn  to  speak,  ho  arose 
with  much  simple  d'gnity,  G.id  discoursed  with  a  clearness, 
wisdom,  and  eloquence  that  astonished  his  most  cultivated 
hearers.  He  concluded  his  speech  by  declaring  that  he  had  care- 
I'uHy  examined  Catholicity,  loved  it,  was  charmed  at  its  sublime 
principles,  and  gracefully  turning  to  the  Bishop,  ho  begged  to 
be  baptized.  This  was  a  singular,  but  not  entirely  unexpected 
act.  For  years  this  Demosthenes  of  the  forest  had  listened  to 
the  instructions  of  the  Jesuits,  was  their  best  friend ;  besides,  his 
irreproachable  life  was  known  to  all. 

The  old  Cathedral  of  Quebec  witnessed  the  solemn  ceremony. 
There,  amid  the  descendants  of  the  Crusaders,  men  of  noble 
lienagc  in  tlie  olden  world,  amid  Hurons  and  Algonquins  from 
Canada,  Mohegans  from  the  Hudson,  Chippeways  from  Lake 
Superior,  and  Iroquois  from  every  tribe  along  tho  Mohawk  and 
Genesee,  ftood  Garakontie  to  receive  baptism  from  the  hands 
of  Laval,  as  Clovis  did  centuries  before  at  the  hands  of  Remy. 
With  calm  attention  he  followed  the  rite.  Clear  and  distinct 
were  liis  responses  as  to  the  doctrines  he  would  embrace,  posi- 
tive to  sternness  itself  his  declaration  of  adherence  to  Clu-is- 
tianity.  Then  amid  the  thunder  of  the  cannon  of  Fort  St.  Louis, 
the  Governor  standing  by  as  his  sponsor,  the  waters  flowed  on 
his  head,  and  the  greatest  Iroquois  of  the  epoch,  the  virtual  head 
of  the  league,  was  now  the  Christian  Daniel  Garakontie.* 

From  this  to  his  last  hour  he  lived  up  to  the  principles  of  tho 
holy  religion  he  so  manfully  embraced.  Whether  amid  his  na- 
tive hills  in  New  York  or  in  councils  at  Albany,  Montreal,  Fort 
Frontenac,t  or  Quebec,  Garakontie  ever  raised  his  voice  for  tho 
fiiith.  "After  his  baptism,"  writes  the  learned  author  of  the 
(JathoUe  Mmions,  "he  never  committed  a  wilful  fault,  but 
showed  in  the  woods  of  America  a  character  worthy  of  tho 
primitive  church,  by  the  wondrous  union  of  the  magnanimous 
virtues,  and  those  'little  virtues'  which  give  peace  and  con- 
fidence to  all  around." 

Nothing,  however,  provoked  him  more  than  the  silly  bigotry 
exhibited   against  Catholicity   by  the   English  and   Dutch   of 
Albany.    To   show   openly  what  he   thought  of  such   narrow 
minded  people,  zeal  led  the  great  chief  on  one  occasion  to  enter 


*Dr.  J.  G.  Shea, 

tAt  tlio  Itviiig-  out  of  the  ground  for  Fort  Froutcnac  (now  Kingston, 
Ciinailu),  Ihioc;  hi^to^ic  porsonagos  witi'  present.  Fiontenac,  Governor  of 
Canathi ;  La  Salle,  tho  groat  explorer  ;  and  Dunk-l  Garakontie,  the  celebrated 
Cath'ilic  Chief.     See  I'arkmuu'i  Di>:<'nr^r'j  of  t.^f  Great  West. 


JVPHniilliRBIIIIII 


mtmmm 


132  Catholicity  in   the  United  States. 

the  meeting-house  in  that  town  and  kneel  down  to  say  his  heads. 
The  clergyman  commanded  him  to  leave.  "  Wliat!  "  exclaimed 
Garakontie,  "you  will  not  allow  me  to  pray  in  the  house  of 
God?    You  cannot  be  Christians;  you  do  not  love  the  prayer!  " 

His  wigwam  was  nearly  two  miles  from  the  chapel,  but  that 
did  not  prevent  him  from  attending  Mass  regularly  with  his 
wife,  whom  he  had  converted . 

While  on  his  way  to  the  midnight  Mas.^  on  Christmas,  1675, 
he  contracted  a  severe  cold.  As  the  new  year  approached,  his 
malady  increased.  Warned  by  his  dangerous  state,  he  made  a 
last  and  humble  general  confession.  The  good  missionary 
lavished  every  care  on  him ;  but  in  spite  of  all  kindly  efforts  the 
great  sachem  sank  daily.  "When  the  chiefs  gathered  around  his 
dying  bed,  he  gave  them  his  last  counsels — eloquent  even  in 
death.  Then  turning  to  the  Jesuit  Father  he  said:  "  Write  to 
the  Governor  of  Canada  that  he  loses  the  best  servant  he  had 
in  the  cantons  of  the  Iroquois,  and  request  my  Lord  Bishop  who 
baptized  me,  and  all  the  missionaries,  to  pray  that  my  stay  in 
purgatory  may  not  be  long." 

His  hour  came,  and  bowing  his  head,  he  exclaimed:  "  O/me 
onnge  c?ie  ca^^ — Behold,  I  die!  These  were  his  last  words.  He 
peacefully  expired  amid  the  prayers  ascending  to  Heaven  for 
the  repose  of  his  soul.  Our  Centennial  Year  is  the  two  hun- 
dredth anniversary  of  his  holy  death. 

Altogether,  Daniel  Garakontie  was  a  most  remarkable  man. 
He  seldom  spoke,  but  his  wise,  polished,  and  powerful  language 
commanded  attention.  A  deep  thinker,  his  singularly  prac- 
tical mind  grasped  the  most  difficult  problems  in  politics, 
religion,  and  civilization.  Many  a  ruler  and  statesman  of  this 
nineteenth  century  might  well  envy  his  upright  conscience, 
brave  heart,  and  clear  head.  He  af  once  saw  that  European 
civilization  was  far  superior  to  that  in  which  he  had  been  trained ; 
and  overcoming  the  bias  of  habit,  he  became  its  disciple  and 
its  earnest  propagator.  Eminently  a  man  of  progress  and  enter- 
prise, he  adopted  the  dress  of  the  whites,  and  even  in  his  ad- 
vanced years  learned  to  read  and  write.  But  the  crowning 
feature  of  his  character  was  his  manly  virtue,  his  purity  of  life, 
his  enthusiastic  love  of  his  faith.  The  Indian  Cicero,  his 
actions  were  as  eloquent  as  his  words. 


Engl] 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE  COLONIAL  CHURCir — MARYLAND,   "  THE  LAND   OF  THE 

SANCTUARY." 
(1G34:-1775.) 

"  Ah  I  Freedom  is  a  noble  thing."— Lydgate,  the  old  poet-monk. 

THE  CHUKCn  OX  A  THOKXY  KOAD— TUE  MOTiIER  OP  BIGOTS — LOIIU  BAL- 
TIMOUE  AND  HIS  COLONY — TUE  LANDING — A  "  CROSS  IN  THE  WILDER- 
NESS'' — LIBERTY— WARMED  VIPERS — CATHOLIC  LIBERALITY  AND 
PROTESTANT  INTOLERANCE — THE  MARYLAND  PENAL  CODE — PENN- 
SYLVANIA— NEW  YORK — NEW  ENGLAND — SUMMARY  AND  CONCLUSJON. 

In  the  preceding  cliapter,  I  endeavored  to  give  a  correct 
bird's-eye  view  of  the  Indian  missions  and  the  noble  Catholic 
heroes  who  labored  and  laid  down  their  lives  for  the  salva- 
tion of  the  red  man.  The  story  of  the  Church  among  the 
colonists  will  now  claim  om*  attention.  The  interest  of  the 
narrative  is  only  surpassed  by  its  sublimity.  It  covers  a 
period  of  nearly  a  century  and  a  half — a  period,  during  the 
greater  part  of  which,  Catholicity  walked  a  thorny  road  in  the 
English  colonies  of  America. 

The  intelligent  reader  need  not  be  reminded  of  the  intol- 
erant attitude  which  England  assumed  towards  the  Catholic 
Church,  when  she  apostatized  from  it,  in  the  days  of  King 
Harry  of  infamous  memory.  For  three  hundred  years  she 
employed  the  most  cruel  and  satanic  engines  of  destruction 
for  the  utter  annihilation  of  the  creed  of  Alfred  the  Great, 
M'ithin  her  dominions  ;  and  the  most  debased  and  intriguing 
policy  for  its  injury  witliout  tliein.  Whether  on  the  banks 
of  the  Potomac  or  the  Hudson,  the  Thames  or  the  Shannon, 
her  penal  laws  waged  a  fiendish  war  on  the  Catholic  and  his 
faith.  In  vain  do  we  search  history  for  a  parallel.  But, 
when  Britain  had  exhausted  her  fanaticism,  spent  her  power 
and  her  wi'ath,  and  become  somewhat  ashamed  of  herself, 

(133) 


134  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

the  foe  of  the  ancient  faith  began  to  respect  what  she  could 
not  destroy,  and  cooled  down  to  that  state  of  indifference- 
subject  to  fits  and  changes — which  we  witness  to-day.  It  is 
far  from  pleasant  to  relate  the  infamous  tricks  of  a  worn-out 
bigot.  But  I  aim  at  truth,  not  amusement ;  and,  of  all 
things,  a  timid,  cringing  attitude  least  becomes  the  truth. 
Truth  is  bold,  because  it  is  the  truth. 


THE  FOUNDKR  OF  FREEDOM  IN  AMERICA. 

When  Lord  Baltimore  became  a  Catholic,  he  knew  but 
too  well  the  stern  code  that  frowned  on  the  religion  of  his 
choice.  The  happy  scheme  of  founding  a  Catholic  colony 
on  the  shores  of  the  Kew  World,  as  a  refuge  from  persecu- 
tion, flashed  on  his  mind ;  and,  after  some  delay,  he  ob- 
tained from  Charles  I.  the  grant  of  a  large  tract  of  land 
lying  north  of  the  Potomac.  He  named  it  Maryland^  in 
honor  of  the  Catholic  queen,  Henrietta  Maria.  Its  charter, 
drawn  up  by  his  own  hand,  is  the  noblest  document  in  our 
early  history — an  immortal  document,  the ^z**^  colonial  char- 
ter which  guai'anteed  liberty  of  worship  to  all  Christians, 
and  secured  a  voice  .o  all  free  men  in  making  the  laws.* 
This  charter  had  scarcely  received  the  King's  signature, 
when  the  good  Lord  Baltimore  died.  His  rights  and  privi- 
leges passe<l  to  his  eldest  son,  Cecil  Calvert,  the  second  Lord 
Baltimore,  who  commissioned  his  brother,  Leonard  Calvert, 


*  By  tho  charter  of  Maryland,  the  Proprietary  was  empowered 
"for  the  good  and  happy  government  of  the  province  to  ordain, 
make,  and  enact  hxws,  wlietlier  pertaining  to  the  public  state  of 
tlie  province  or  the  private  utility  of  individuals,  by  and  with  tho 
advice,  assent,  and  approbation  of  the  freemen  or  the  greater 
part  of  them,  or  of  their  delegates,  or  deputies,  who  were  to  be 
called  together  by  him  for  the  framing  of  laws,  when  and  as  often 
as  need  should  require,  and  in  such  form  as  to  him  should  seem 
most  expedient." 

Streeter's  "Papers  Relating  to  the  Early  History  of  Maryland," 
p.  6.  Published  January,  1876.  Foracopy  of  this  valuable  col- 
lection, T  am  indebted  to  the  courtesy  of  my  friend,  John  Mur- 
phy, Esq.,  tho  well  known  Catholic  Publisiher  of  Baltimore,  Md. 


The  Colojttal  Church — Maryland.         135 

to  carry  out  their  father's  designs,  and,  for  that  pniiwse, 
appointed  him  Governor  of  the  new  colony.  Leonard  Cal- 
vert was  a  brave  man  and  a  good  Catholic,  who  set  about 
his  undertaking  in  the  noble  spirit  of  a  Columbus.  The  ex- 
pedition consisted  of  two  small  vessels,  the  Ai'k  and  the 
Dove,  on  board  of  which  were  the  governo  ■  Fathers  Andrew 
AVhite  and  John  Altham,  of  the  Society  of  Jesus,  and  about 
two  hundred  English  and  Irish  emigrants,  "nearly  all  of  whom 
were  Catholics  and  gentlemen  of  fortune  and  respectability, 
who  desired  to  fly  from  the  spirit  of  intolerance  which  per- 
vaded England,  and  to  rear  up  their  altars  in  freedom  in  the 
wilderness.''  ^  In  ISTovember,  1633,  they  sailed  from  the 
Isle  of  Wight,  having,  as  the  Apostle  of  Maryland  writes, 
piously  "  placed  their  ships  under  the  protection  of  God, 
imploring  the  intercession  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  of  St. 
Ignatius,  and  all  the  guardian  angels  of  Maryland."  f 

"It  was,"  says McSherry,  "a  mighty  undertaking,  stand- 
ing out  in  history  as  an  era. in  the  progress  of  mankind." 

TUE   LAIJDIN  ; . 

After  a  most  stormy  passage  of  four  months,  their  eyes 
beheld  the  long-looked-for  shores  of  their  new  home  ;  "  and 
they  returned  thanks  to  God  for  the  beautiful  land  which 
He  had  given  them — for  this  was  Maryland."  X  They  first 
landed  on  the  small  island  of  St.  Clements.  To  quote  from 
Father  White's  admirable  journal :  "  On  the  day  of  the  An- 
nunciation of  the  Holy  Virgin  Mary,  the  25th  of  March,  in  the 
year  1634,  we  offered  in  this  island,  for  the  first  time,  the 
sacrifice  of  the  Mass  ;  in  this  region  of  the  world  it  had  never 
been  celebrated  before.  The  sacrifice  being  ended,  having 
taken  upon  our  shoulders  the  great  cross,  which  we  had 
hewn  from  a  tree,  and  going  in  procession  to  the  place  that 
had  been  designated,  the  governor,  conmiissioners,  and  other 
Catholics  participating  in  the  ceremony,  we  erected  it  as  a 

*  McSherry. 

t  Relatio  Itineris  in  Mai^landlam, 

X  McSherry. 


HHiillliP 


136  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

trophy  to  Christ  the  Saviour,  while  the  Litany  of  the  Cross 
was  chanted  humbly  on  our  bended  knees  with  great  emo- 
tion of  soul."  *  Here  was  a  veritable  "  cross  in  the  wilder- 
ness." Indeed  there  is  something  so  sublimely  grand  in  this 
brief,  but  touching  narrative,  that  in  our  age  of  unbelief  and 
materialism,  we  '  ause  and  almost  wonder  if  we  are  reading 
a  dream,  or  a  reality.  But  it  is  no  dream.  It  is  the  true 
story  of  how  the  Catholic  Pilgrim  Fathers  of  Maryland  first 
took  possession  of  our  shores.  They  were  men  proud  of  their 
ancient  and  beautiful  faith.  They  nobly  preferred  an  altar 
in  the  desert  to  a  coronet  at  court. 

On  reaching  the  mainland,  the  governor  purchased  from 
the  peaceful  Indians  a  tract  of  country  about  tliirty  miles  in 
length — now  comprised  in  the  county  of  St.  Mary.  The 
pilgrims  took  solemn  possession  of  the  soil  on  the  27th  of 
March,  1634.  The  city  of  St.  Mary  was  founded  ;  and  here 
freedom  obtained  its  first  home  in  the  Western  World.  In- 
deed, the  Catholic  Pilgrim  Fathers  of  Maryland  were  the 
founders  of  civil  and  religious  liberty  in  America.^ 


*  Relatio,  p.  33. 

t  Of  late  this  fact,  this  ancient  glory  of  Maryland,  has  again 
been  thoroughly  discussed,  and  as  triumphantly  proved.  The 
illustrious  Cardinal  Manning,  in  his  "  Vatican  Decrees^''''  pp.  89-90, 
was  warm  in  generoias  praise  of  the  liberality  of  Lord  Baltimore 
and  his  model  colony.  Mr.  Gladstone,  the  British  statesman, 
and  soi-disant  theologian,  who  would  not  for  the  world  agree 
with  the  Cardinal  about  anything,  foolishly  attacked  Catholic 
Maryland  by  denying  that  its  early  liberties  originated  with  the 
Catholics,  or,  in  fact,  that  tho.y  deserved  any  credit  in  the  mat- 
ter. His  historical  performance  is  simply  ridiculous,  coming  as 
it  does  from  an  eminent  man.  He  has  clearly  proved  one  thing, 
at  least — that  liis  ignorance  of  the  Catholic  Church  is  only  ex- 
ceeded by  his  ignorance  of  American  history  !  It  is  quite  evi- 
dent that  the  gentleman  never  read  a  history  of  Maryland, 
though  several  were  written  before  he  was  born.  The  historical 
works  of  Wynne,  Douglas,  Bozman,  McMahon,  Davis,  McSherry, 
Bancroft,  and  others — all  prove  that  the  British  ex-premier  is 
simply  an  egregious  blunderer,  a  man,  as  Sidney  Smith  would 
eay,  "  splashing  in  the  froth  of  his  own  rhetoric  ! " 


The  Colonial  Church — Marylafid,         137 

AVliat  is  also  worthy  of  admiration,  it  may  be  stated  that 
the  utmost  harmony  subsisted  between  the  Cathohc  colonists 
and  the  Indians.  "  Maryland,"  says  McSherrj',  "  was  almost 
the  only  State  whose  early  settlement  was  not  stained  with 
the  blood  of  the  natives."  *  We  need  not  be  astonished  to 
learn  that  a  colony  thus  founded  on  justice  and  freedom 
grew  and  flourished. 

Fathers  White  and  Altham  divided  their  time  between 
the  settlers  and  the  Indians.  They  were  soon  reinforced 
by  Fathers  Brock,  Copley,  and  Fisher. f  Two  Capuchin 
Friars  also  came  to  aid  the  good  work,  in  1643.     Eeligion 


SpCcaking  of  the  early  Catholics  of  Maryland,  the  learned  and 
accurate  historian,  Davis  (a  Protestant),  says  :  "Lot  not  the 
Protestant  historian  of  America  give  grudgingly.  Let  him  tes- 
tify with  a  warm  heart,  and  pay  with  gladness  the  tribute  so 
richly  due  to  the  memory  of  our  early  (Catholic)  forefathers. 
Let  their  deeds  be  enshrined  in  our  hearts  and  their  names  re- 
peated in  our  households.  Let  them  bo  canonized  in  the  grate- 
ful regards  of  the  Americans  ;  and  handed  down,  through  the 
lips  of  a  living  tradition,  to  his  most  remote  posterity.  In  an 
age  of  credulity,  like  true  men,  with  heroic  hearts,  they  fought 
ihe  first  great  battle  of  religious  liberty^  and  their  fame,  without 
reference  to  their  faith,  is  now  the  inheritance,  I'Ot  only  of  Mary- 
land, but  also  of  America." 

"Mr.  Gladstone  and  Maryland  Toleration,''  apamplilet  of  24 
pages,  by  Richard  H.  Clarke,  LL.D.,  is  an  able  and  exhaustive 
review  of  the  English  statesman's  assertions. 

*  In  Massachusetts,  at  one  time,  it  was  the  same  to  shoot  a 
violf,  or  an  Indian  ;  in  Eliode  Island  the  poor  savages  were  sold 
like  cattle.  Even  Roger  Williams  approved  the  sale  of  Indians. 
Our  early  history  requires  to  be  better  known. 

t  In  the  records  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Maryland  held  at 
St.  Mary's,  in  1637,  we  find  that  Father^  White,  Altham,  and 
Copley  were  summoned  to  sit  as  members;  but  "Robert  Clarke 
made  answer  for  them,  that  they  desired  to  be  excused  from 
giving  voices  in  this  Assembly  ;  and  was  admitted ." 

Their  names,  however,  are  on  the  alphabetical  list  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Assembly  of  1638. 

See  pp .  20  and  50  ' '  Papers  Eelating  to  the  Early  History  of 
Maryland. ^^ 


M .  "11  ■ 


'M; 


* 

^1 


1 

ilp 

:inil!! 

'd  q^ 

';  '''lii 

m 

i-;f;-r 

'w 

;  ii  ■  ■ 

*■  *n 

.'„'... 

.  ui*l 

ii 


!1| 

iiiilti, 


138  Catholicity  in  the  U^iited  States. 

reigned  alike  in  the  town  of  St.  Mary's  and  the  wigwams  of 
the  Indians ;  and  the  sun  of  happiness  and  prosperity  shed 
its  genial  rays  on  this  "  land  of  the  sanctuary."  The  truth 
contained  in  the  famous  lines  of  the  venerable  old  mofflv, 
Lydgate,  were  indeed  verified : 

*'  Freedom  all  solace  to  man  gives, 
Ho  lives  at  ease,  that  freely  lives." 

THE    HOME   OF   FKEEDOM   IN    AMERICA. 

Soon  the  fame  of  this  home  of  liberty  spread  abroad,  and 
towards  it  the  persecuted  of  every  clime  bent  their  steps. 
"  The  lloman  Catholics  who  were  oppressed  by  the  laws  of 
England,  were  sure  to  find  a  peaceful  asylum  in  the  quiet 
liarbors  of  the  Chesapeake,  and  there,  too,  Protestants  were 
sheltered  from  Protestant  intolerance."*  The  Puritan  who 
was  hunted  out  of  Anglican  Virginia,  and  the  peaceful  Qua- 
ker whose  ears  were  cropped  in  Puritan  New  England, 
found  a  refuge  among  the  liberal  and  warm-hearted  Catho- 
lics of  Maryland. f 

Ten  years  passed  away  before  misfortune  frowned  on  the 
fair  scene  I  have  so  imperfectly  described.  A  party  of  Pu- 
ritans who  were  expelled  from  Virginia  in  1642,  and  were 
received  with  open  arms  in  prosperous  Maryland,  soon 
began  to  manifest  the  sj)irit  of  insurrection.     In  Claybome 

*  Bancroft. 

t  One  of  the  oldest  existing  colonial  compositions  is  i\\Q  first 
will  made  in  Maryland.  It  is  dated,  1635.  I  give  a  few  extracts  : 
**In  the  name  of  God,  Amen.  I,  William  Smith,  by  the  deare 
goodness  of  Gpd  in  perfect  health  of  body  and  perfect  use  of 
judgmer^t,  &g.  *  *  *  j  profess  that  I  die  a  member  of  the 
Catholique  lloniane  Church,  out  of  which  there  is  no  salvation." 
Mr.  Smith  being  a  good  Catholic,  leaves,  among  other  things, 
"foure  pounds  for  tlie  good  of  my  soul,  desiring  Holy  Church 
to  pray  for  the  same.  Mr.  Streeter  says  that  for  "  distinctness, 
brevity,  and  point,"  this  will  is  "a  model  of  its  kind." 

See  "  Papers  Relating  to  the  Early  History  of  Maryland," 
p.  282. 


The  Colo7iial  Church-^ Maryland.         139 

a  bold  and  lawless  man  who  was  plotting  to  overthrow 
tlie  government  of  Lord  Baltimore,  they  found  a  worthy 
leader ;  and  with  base  ingratitude,  these  vile  men  turned 
their  arms  against  tlie  kind  friends  who  had  succored 
them  in  the  hour  of  need.  Like  vipers  they  turned  about, 
and  l^it  the  very  benefactors  who  had  warmed  them  into 
life.  In  1044,  Clayborne  and  his  Protestant  mob  triumphed. 
Leonard  Calvert  was  obliged  to  fly,  and  with  him  fled  peace, 
justice,  and  religion.  Many  of  the  Catholics  were  robbed 
of  their  possessions,  and  banislied  from  the  Province.  For 
two  years  lawlessness,  usurpation,  and  intolerance  freely 
stalked  the  land.  Even  the  altars  of  religion  were  ruthlessly 
overthrown ;  the  Apostle  of  Maryland  and  the  other  peace- 
ful missionaries  were  seized,  put  in  irons,  and,  like  crimi- 
nals, shipped  to  England,  where  for  a  long  time  they  were 
ci'uclly  imprisoned.  However,  the  return  of  Governor  Cal- 
vert with  a  body  of  troops,  in  1046,  restored  peace  and  order 
to  the  Catholic  homesteads  of  St.  Marv's. 

The  good  Father  Fisher  in  1648  was  enabled  to  shake 
the  chains  from  his  feet  and  return  to  his  flock.  "  By  the 
singular  providence  of  God,"  he  writes  to  his  Superior,  "  I 
found  my  flock  collected  together,  after  they  had  been  scat- 
tered for  three  long  years ;  and  they  were  really  in  more 
flourishing  circumstances  than  those  who  had  oppressed  and 
plundered  them.  With  what  joy  they  welcomed  me,  and 
with  what  delight  I  met  them,  it  would  be  impossible  to 
describe.  Indeed,  they  received  me  as  an  angel  of  God.  I 
have  now  been  with  them  a  fortnight,  and  am  preparing 
for  a  painful  separation.  The  Indians  summon  me  to  their 
aid,  for  they  have  been  ill-treated  by  the  enemy  since  I  was 
torn  from  them.  I  hardly  know  what  to  do,  as  I  cannot 
attend  to  all."* 

By  degrees,  several  of  the  Jesuit  Fathers  returned  to  their 
missions;  and  their  establishments  finally  took  such  firm 
root  in  the  soil  of  Maryland,  that  all  subsequent  persecution 


*  Campbell. 


'i'  "'I 


liii  :;i,i<i    ■  ■■'■ 

Mil  "'o'i  ' 

III    .■^i;»1i-:    ;' 


mm 


140  Catholicity  ifi  the  United  States. 

and  intolerance  failed  to  remove  them.  They  were  the  roek 
of  the  Church.  The  surging  sea  of  bigotry  rolled  around 
them,  but  in  vain  the  waves  dashed  and  broke.  On  this  rock 
the  flame  of  the  ancient  faith  was  kept  alive.  Catholicity, 
guarded  by  the  faithful  sons  of  Loyola,  withstood  a  storm 
which  lasted  for  nearly  a  century. 

BRIGHT   EXAMPLE   OF   CATHOLIC    LIBERALITY. 

But,  did  the  Catholics,  now  that  they  were  restored  to 
power,  return  persecution  for  persecution?  No;  with  a 
noble  magnanimity,  all  the  Puritan  rebels  were  pardoned, 
save  the  ringleader.*  Nor  did  Catholic  liberality  end  here. 
In  1649,  the  General  Assemblyf  was  convened,  and  the 
famous  Toleration  Act  passed  —  an  act  "  that  must  for- 
ever render  memorable  the  founders  and  people  of  Mary- 
land.":}: It  is  an  immortal  monument  of  Catholic  charity 
and  liberality  in  an  age  when  bigotry  reigned  supreme  in 
every  Protestant  land  ;  in  an  age  when  Catholics  were  pro- 
scribed by  the  Episcopalians  of  Virginia  and  the  Puritans 
of  Massachusetts ! 

The  object  of  this  celebrated  act  was  to  erect  new  safe- 
guards for  the  religious  liberty  of  the  colonists,  and  to  con- 
firm solemnly  what  had  been  already  granted  by  the  charter 
of  Lord  Baltimore.  The  simple  words  of  this  noble  enact- 
ment are  as  follows  :  "  Whereas,  the  enforcing  of  conscience 
in  matters  of  religion,  hath  frequently  fallen  out  to  be  of 
dangerous  consequence,  in  those  commonwealths  where  it 
lias  been  practiced,  and  for  the  more  quiet  and  peaceable 
government  of  this  province,  and  the  better  to  preserve  mu- 
tual love  and  unity  amongst  the  inhabitants ;  therefore,  be  it 


*  McSherry, 

t  This  Assembly  was  composed  of  eleven  Catholic  and  t?iree 
Protestant  voters.  See  Davis'  "  Day-Star  of  American  Free- 
dom," p.  138.  The  composition  of  this  Assembly  is  also  ably  dis- 
cussed by  Dr.  R.  H.  Clarke  in  his  ' '  Gladstone  and  Maryland 
Toleration ." 

J  McSherry.  it 


1 


'X- 
ice 
lof 
it 
)le 
Ilu- 
it 


T/te  Colonial  CJmrch — Afa^yland.         141 

• 

enacted,  that  110  person  or  persons  whatsoever,  within  \\\U 
province,  or  the  ishmds,  j)ort.s,  harbors,  creeks,  or  havens 
thereunto  behmginu^,  professing  to  believe  in  Jesus  Christ, 
shall  from  henceforth  be  any  ways  troubled,  or  molested,  or 
discountenanced,  for  or  in  respect  of  his  or  her  religion,  nor 
in  the  free  exercise  thereof,  within  this  province  or  the 
islands  thereunto  belonging,  nor  any  way  compelled  to  the 
belief  or  exercise  of  any  other  religion,  against  his  or  her 
consent.* 

PROTESTANT   INTOLERANCE. 

Only  five  years  passed  away  before  the  clouds  of  another 
storm  gathered,  and  burst  with  renewed  fury  on  the  devoted 
people  of  Maryland.  The  execution  of  King  Charles  in 
England  was  immediately  followed  by  the  rise  of  Ci-omwell 
and  Puntanism  into  power.  Like  a  shock  of  electricity  the 
event  was  felt  in  America — in  Maryland.  The  Puritans 
were  at  once  in  arn  3 !  With  aid  from  England,  the}' 
triumphed ;  called  together  an  assembly,  in  1654,  from  which 
Catliolics  were  rigidly  excluded ;  revoked  the  memorable 
Toleration  Act ;  denounced  the  ancient  faith ;  and,  at 
once,  issued  a  decree  denying  the  protection  of  the  law  to 
Catholics  If  Pity  and  indignation  alternately  arrest  the 
mind  in  its  efforts  to  find  language  sufiiciently  strong  to  de- 
nounce the  ingratitude,  baseness,  and  villainy  of  these 
Avretched  fanatics  who  struck  at  liberty,  outraged  their  very 
benefactors,  placing  beyond  the  pale  of  the  law  the  brave 
and  generous  Catholics  who,  bu  a  few  years  before,  so  kindly 
received  them.  We  have  no  space  to  describe  the  scenes  of 
anarchv  that  ensued. 

In  1660  the  new  King  restored  Lord  Baltimore  to  all  his 
rights  as  proprietor ;  and  peace  and  liberty  once  more  smiled 
on  the  shores  of  the  Chesapeake. 

During  this  calm.  Catholicity  grew  and  flourished  ;  and  for 
thirty  years  nothing  occurred  to  disturb  the  harmony  which 
reigned  among  all  creeds  and  classes  in  the  province.    But, 


*  Bacon's  Laws . 


t  McSherry. 


142         CatJiolicity  in  the  United  States. 

in  1688,  the  tocsin  of  bigotry  was  again  sounded.  Tlio 
Catholic  James  II.  was  forced  off  his  throne,  and  Wilh'am 
of  Orange,  a  Dutclv  Protestant,  soon  wielded  the  sceptre  of 
Alfred  the  Great.  In  1092,  a  Protestant  governor  was  sent 
to  Maryland,  and  the  Anglican  Church  was  established  by 
law.  The  most  shameless  enactments  now  became  the  order 
of  the  day.  The  penal  code  reigned  supreme  in  Catholic 
Maryland ! 


PEOTESTANTISM   EEIONS   IN   MARYLAND. 

Protestantism  came,  and  Liberty  fled  from  the  banks  of 
the  Potomac! 

Anew  "law"  was  passed  in  1701:  "to  prevent  the  in- 
crease of  Popery,"  which,  togetlier  with  a  few  other  precious 
enactments,  I  here  summarize  for  the  information  of  our 
centennial  generation,  and  the  honor  (f)  of  what  is  some- 
times ridiculously  called  "  the  mother  country." 

(I.)  Catholic  bishops  and  priests  were  forbidden  to  say 
Mass,  or  in  any  way  exercise  their  ministry.  (2.)  Catholics 
were  deprived  of  the  right  of  elcL'tive  franchise,  unless  they 
renounced  their  faith.  (3.)  Catholics  were  forbidden  to 
teach.  (4.)  Catholics  were  obliged  to  support  the  established 
(Anglican)  Church.  (5.)  Catholics  were  forced  to  pay  a 
double  tax.  (0.)  It  was  strongly  recommended  that  "  chil- 
dren M'ere  to  be  taken  from  the  pernicious  inliuence  of  Popish 
parents."  (7.)  A  Catholic  child,  by  becoming  a  Pr(jtestant, 
could  exact  his  share  of  property  from  his  parents,  "as 
though  they  were  dead."  (8.)  Catholic  emigrants  were  tor- 
bidden  to  enter  Maryland.  But  my  hand  refuses  to  write 
more  of  the  odious  and  insane  decrees  which  threatened  tlie 
very  existence  of  the  men  who  founded  that  beautiful "  home 
of  liberty,"  which  fanaticism  was  rapidly  transforming  into 
a  ]:>cnal  colony — a  land  of  slaves  ! 

At  last,  the  foolish  animosity  against  Catholics  became  so 
intense  "  that  they  were  forbidden  to  appear  in  certain  parts 
of  the  towns !  "  This  painful  state  of  affairs  continued  aown 
to  the  days  of  the  lie  volution — a  period  of  seventy  long 


a 


The  Colonial  Church — Maryland.         143 

years.  During  tliat  portion  of  the  ciglitoonth  century  all  tho 
foregoing  laws  remained  in  full  force,  except  the  iirst,  which, 
in  course  cjf  time,  was  ho  modified  that  "  Catholics  were  [»er- 
mitted  to  hear  Mass  in  their  own  families  and  on  their  own 
grounds." 

A    NOBLK    UACE. 

Notwithstanding  all  these  cruel  restrictions,  the  descend- 
ants of  the  Maryland  Pilgrims  remained  faithful,  with  a 
few  excei)tion8,  to  the  Church  of  their  fathers.  If  Catho- 
licity did  not  increase  much,  at  least  it  did  not  wither  away 
l)efore  the  jeers  and  menaces  of  persecution.  The  more 
■wealthy  Catholics  sent  their  sons  and  daughters  across  the 
Atlantic  to  l)e  educated  in  the  religious  institutions  of 
Europe.  For  instance,  John  Carroll,  the  first  archbishoj)  of 
Baltimore,  and  his  cousin  Charles,  the  celebrated  signer  of 
the  Declai-ation  of  Independence,  were  both  educated  by  tho 
Jesuits  in  France.  Thus  the  ancient  faith  was  kept  alive  in 
the  "  Land  of  the  Sanctuary,"  and  formed  the  germ  of  the 
nourishing  American  Church  which  we  behold  in  the  days 
of  our  CciitoiiiMal.  God  blessed  Ilis  faithful  few.  They 
trium})lied  over  every  obstacle,  and  smiled  at  British  tyranny 
and  intolerance.  In  the  Maryland  Jesuits,  the  Catholics 
possessed  a  noble  priesthood,  that  stood  by  them  in  all  their 
trials,  and  bravely  kept  the  banner  of  faith  flying  aloft  in 
the  face  of  the  foe  I 


:i    . 


!»;  :■:«:' 


SIR  GEORGE  CALVERT,  LORD  BALTIMORE. 

"  The  path  of  the  just  Is  as  the  nhining  light."— Proverbs. 

The  most  illustrious  nauie  among  our  colonial  founders  is 
that  of  the  Catholic  peer,  Lord  Baltimore.  He  was  the  son  of 
Leonard  Calvert,  of  Yorkshire,  England,  and  was  born  about 
the  year  1580.  His  parents  being  Anglicans,  he  was,  of  course, 
brought  up  in  the  same  belief.  Young  George  was  sent  to  Ox- 
ford LFniversity,  and  such  were  his  rare  talents  and  application, 
that  at  the  age  of  seventeen  he  graduated,  with  high  honors. 
Bachelor  of  Arts,  A  tour  on  the  Continent  completed  his  edu- 
cation. 

In  his  twenty-fifth  year  he  married  Miss  Minnj,  an  accom- 
plished young  lady  of  Ilerdforshire;  and  a  sl^ort  time  after, 
through  the  influence  of  Sir  Robert  Cecil,  the  Prime  Minister, 
he  obtained  a  position  at  court.  In  honor  of  his  patron,  he 
named  his  eldest  son  Cccilius,  afterwards  the  worthy  inheritor  of 
his  name  and  his  noble  design.'^.  Calvert's  promotion,  from  one 
oflice  to  another,  was  now  rapid:  "  for  his  ability  and  diligence 
had  already  attracted  the  attention  and  won  the  esteen\  of  the 
king,  who  in  1G17  conferred  upon  him  the  honor  of  knighthood, 
having  already  appointed  him  one  of  the  clerks  of  the  privy 
council."  lu  1020  he  was  made  Secretary  of  State,  with  a  pen- 
sion of  five  thousand  dollars  a  year.  He  afterwards  became  a 
member  of  the  House  of  Commons,  reprooenring,  first,  York- 
shirt',  and  then  the  University  of  Oxford.  His  disti.  guished 
integrity,     bility,  and  eloquence  were  i-ecognized  by  all. 

The  cruel  persecution  of  the  Catholics  then  going  on  in  Eng- 
land, duelled  the  generous  heart  of  Sir  George  Calvert.  He 
made  a  profound  examination  ini;o  their  faith  and  their  prin- 
ciples. The  religion  of  Bede,  Alfred,  p  id  the  Black  Prince 
assumed  new  beauties  the  more  carefully  it  was  scrutinized. 
New  light  was  shed  on  his  penetrating  mind.  If  persecution 
was  to  be  the  lot  of  the  true  followers  of  Jesus  Christ,  then  there 
could  be  little  difficulty  in  finding  them  out!  With  the  courage 
and  manliness  inspired  by  grace,  he  became  a  Catholic  in  1024. 
His  conscience  no  longer  allowing  him  to  hold  his  position  as 
Secretary  of  State,  he  at  once  tendered  his  resignation  to 
James  I.  "I  am  now,''  said  the  brave  knight,  "  a  Roman  Cath- 
olic, fo  that  I  must  be  wanting  to  my  trust,  or  violate  my  con- 
science in  the  dischaije  of  this  oflice.''  James,  though  a  bigot  of 
(Ml) 


The  Colonial  Church — Maryland.         145 


the  worst  stamp,  "was  not  unfrequently  generous  to  the  open 
and  candid,  and  was  so  moved  by  Calvert's  honest  avowal,  that 
whilf  he  accepted  his  resignation,  he  continued  him  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  privy  council  for  life,  and  soon  after  created  him  Lord 
Baltimore,  of  Baltimore,  in  Ireland."* 

To  found  a  colony  in  the  New  World,  as  a  refuge  for  his  per- 
secuted co-religionists,  now  became  the  great  object  of  Lord 
Baltimore's  life,  llis  heart  was  grieved  at  the  foolish  animos- 
ity and  vdcked  intolerance  that  everywhere  surrounded  him. 
Before  his  conversion  he  had  purchased  a  portion  of  the  island 
oi  Newfoundland,  was  a  member  of  the  Virginia  Company,  and 
took  great  inteivst  in  colonial  affairs  generally.  He  now  en- 
deavored to  turn  this  knowledge  to  good  account.  With  liis 
family  he  sailed  for  Newfoundland  in  1626,  and  spent  two  years 
and  over  $100,000  in  laboring  to  establish  a  colony  there.  But 
he  was  painfully  disappointed.  Nature  was  not  to  be  changed. 
The  severe  climate  and  rugged  soil  forbade  the  hope  of  estab- 
lishing a  flourishing  community  in  that  bleak  island,  with  its 
cloudy  skies  and  long  winters. 

In  1628  he  sailed  for  Virginia,  with  new  prospects  lighting  up 
his  pathway.  Again  he  was  doomed  to  disappointment.  There 
nature  was  kind,  but  man  was  cruel.  Scarcely  had  he  landed 
when  the  bigots,  like  so  many  mosquitoes,  began  to  buzz  around 
his  path.  He  was  requested  to  take  the  barbarous  oaths  of  su- 
premacy and  n^egiance — "ironclad"  formulas,  which  every 
good  Catholic  won  Id  scorn  in  his  soul  to  pronounce.  Lord  Bal- 
timore refused,  of  course,  to  take  the  proposed  oaths,  and  was 
comiJelled  to  leave  the  waters  of  Virginia.  He  then  sailed  up 
the  Chesapeake,  and  explored  a  portion  of  the  present  State  of 
Maryland.  The  noble  pioneer  "  was  pleased  with  the  beautiful 
and  well-wooded  country  which  surrounded  the  inlets  and  in- 
dentations of  the  great  bay;  and  determined  there  to  found  a 
new  state,  where  conscience  should  be  free,  and  every  man 
might  'vvyrship  God  according  to  his  own  heart,  in  peace  and 
I)erfe!'\,  security."! 

Ill  order  successfully  to  carry  out  this  project,  he  returned  to 
England  in  1628;  but  from  this  till  1C32,  little  is  known  respi'ct- 
iiig  the  details  of  his  career.  Charles  1.  had  succeeded  his 
father,  James,  upon  the  throne.  To  him  Lord  Ualtiniore  made 
application  for  the  grant  of  territory;  and  with  his  own  hand 
drew  up  a  charter,  famous  for  its  liberality,  which  he  likewise 
presented  for  the  king's  approbation.     Bemembering  Lord  Bal- 


*  McSherry. 
lo 


t  McSherry. 


146  CatJiolicity  in  the   United  States, 


tiiuore's  services  to  his  i.itlicr,  and  moved,  perhaps,  by  the  in- 
tercession of  Henrietta  Maria,  his  Catholic  queen,  Charles  di- 
rected the  patent  to  bo  issued.*  But  before  this  was  executed 
the  father  and  founder  of  Maryland  passed  to  his  reward.  Ho 
died  piously  in  the  faith  of  his  choice,  April  12th,  1632.  On  the 
20th  of  June,  1632,  the  charter  received  the  king's  signature. 
Lord  Baltimore's  title  and  privileges  were  inherited  by  his  eldest 
son,  Cecilius  Calvert,  who  carried  out  his  illustrious  father's  de- 
signs in  the  manner  elsewhere  narratod.t 

The  personal  o-ppoarance  of  Lord  Baltimore  was  suggestive  of 
the  eminent  qualities  of  his  mind.  His  was  a  singularly  truth- 
loving  and  generous  nature.  The  calm,  massive  forehead  and 
large,  penetrating  eye,  were  truly  expressive  of  his  groat  abiUties, 
and  of  the  wisdom,  serenity,  and  depth  of  his  soul.  His  mildness 
and  magnanimity  were  only  equalled  by  the  manly  integrity  of 
his  character.  In  an  intolerant  age  and  country,  he  was  a 
model  of  that  true  liberality  which  springs  from  Christian  char- 
ity. To  possess  truth  and  save  his  soul,  he  was  ready  to  sac- 
rifice every  earthly  hope.  Maryland  is  his  monument,  and  the 
great  city  of  Baltimore  shall  transmit  his  name  to  future  ages. 


*  McSherry. 


t  See  p.  135. 


^ood  ] 


The  Colonial  CJntrch — Maryland.  147 


PENNSYLVANIA. 

(1083—1775.) 

WILLIAM   PENN. 

After  Maryland,  the  early  Clmrcli  took  most  firm  root  in 
Pennsylvania.  The  celebrated  Penn,  in  creed  a  Quaker, 
following  the  illustrious  example  of  Lord  Baltimore,  estab- 
lished his  colony  on  the  basis  of  religious  freedom.  In  Janu- 
ary, 1683,  he  founded  Philadelphia,  the  "  City  of  Bi-otherly 
Love,"  and  proclaimed  his  liberality  by  enacting  that  as 
God  is  the  only  judge  of  man's  conscience,  every  Christian, 
without  distinction  of  sect,  shall  be  eligible  to  puljlic  em- 
ployments. The  persecuted  and  the  oppressed  were  not 
slow  in  finding  their  way  to  the  peaceful  banks  of  th j  Dela- 
ware. Irish  Catholics,  esj)ecially,  hastened  to  enjoy  free- 
dom under  the  tolerant  sway  of  Penn. 

But  no  sooner  had  William  of  Oranoje  ascended  the  En"r- 
lish  throne  than  the  diabolical  code  against  Cjvtholics,  known 
as  penal  laws,  had  to  be  accepted  and  enforced  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. The  home  authorities  were  far  from  pleased  at 
Penn's  liberal  spirit  towards  the  much -to-be-hated  "  Papist." 
In  1708,  he  writes  from  England  to  Gov.  Logan,  at  Phila- 
delphia, complaining  \  ''^  It  has  hecome  a  re.voach  to  me  here, 
icith  the  officers  of  the  crown,  that  you  have  suffered  the  scan- 
dal of  the  JIass  to  hepnhlichj  celelratedy  The  "  scandal  of 
the  Mass!''''  But  the  intelligent  reader  can  make  his  own 
comments. 

THE   JESUITS   IN   PENNSYLVANIA. 

Down  to  the  Revolution  the  Jesuit  Fatliers  were  almost 
the  only  priests  who  attended  the  Pennsylvania  missions. 

In  1730,  Father  Greaton,  S.J.,  was  sent  from  Maryland 
to  Philadelphia ;  and  an  interesting  story  is  told  of  how  he 
began  his  carejr  in  the  "  City  of  Brotlierly  Lov<3."  The 
good  Father  knew  an  Irish  Catholic  at  Lancaster  named 
Doyle,  and  applied  to  him  for  the  names  of  B(jme  of  the 


l-f 

i      : 
f 

li, 

tit ' 


148 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


\  \\ 


faithful  in  Pliiladel])liia.  Doyle  mentioned  a  wealthy  old 
lady,  remarkable  for  her  attachment  to  the  faith,  and  the 
minsioiiary  soon  called  nj)on  her,  attired  in  the  grave,  staid 
di'css  of  a  Quaker.  After  various  questions  as  to  the  num- 
ber of  Christian  sects  in  the  city.  Father  Greaton  made  him- 
self known,  to  the  lady's  great  joy.  She  immediately  in- 
formed her  Catholic  neighbors  that  she  had  a  priest  in  the 
house. 

He  first  exercised  his  ministry  in  an  humble  chapel,  built 
many  years  previously  ;  but,  in  1Y33,  aided  by  the  liberality 
of  his  kind  hostess,  he  erected  the  little  church  of  St. 
Joseph.*  Father  Crreaton  may  be  justly  regarded  as  the 
founder  of  Catholicity  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  in  which 
he  labored  for  nearly  twenty  years. 

Father  Greaton  being  recalled  by  his  superiors,  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Father  Harding,  an  English  Jesuit.  In  1758, 
Father  Farmer,  S.J.,  came  to  assist  Father  Harding.  The 
former  had  chai-ge  of  the  German,  the  latter  of  the  English- 
speaking  Catholics.  To  meet  their  increasing  wants,  St. 
!Mary's  church  was  erected  in  1763.  St.  Joseph's  and  St. 
Mary's  were  the  only  places  of  worship  the  Catholics  pos- 
sessed in  Philadelphia  before  the  Ilevolution. 

THE    FAnilFUL    lEISH    AND    OEKMAXS. 

But  Catholicity  was  not  confined  to  the  banks  of  the 
Delaware.  The  faithful  Irish  carried  the  banner  of  religion 
into  various  parts  of  the  State.  Every  year  witnessed  their 
increase  in  numbers.  In  1729,  nearly  six  thousand  of  these 
exiles — the  majority  of  whom  were  doubtless  Catholics — ■ 
landed  at  the  port  of  Philadelphia.f  Sometime  before  that 
date,  a  rich  young  Irish  lady,  Miss  Elizabeth  MacGawley, 
purchased  a  largo  tract  of  land  between  Nicetown  and 
Frankfort,  on  which  she  settled  with  a  number  of  her  ten- 
ants.    Here  she  bui't  the  first  Catholic  chapel. 

Among  the  German  emigrants,  who  likewise  settled  in 


Do  Courcy. 


t  Holmes. 


so  p{- 

print. 

Lon 

and  C 

dred 

station 

\ania 

faithfu 

Delaw, 

*Aft€ 

in  Pern 
wore  Li 
obstina 
and  evej 

fDeC 


The  Colonial  Chtirch — Marylatid.         149 

Pennsylvania,  were  many  Catholics.  They  fonned  a  por- 
tion of  the  advance  guard  of  the  ancient  faith  in  the  wilder- 
ness and  among  the  rude  villages  of  the  backwoocl"?.^  The 
good  Father  Schneider,  a  German  Jesuit,  devoted  his  life's 
labor  to  increase  the  faith  among  his  pioneer  countrymen, 
lie  was  the  apostle  of  the  rural  districts,  as  Father  Greaton 
was  of  the  city.  But  many  other  venerable  priests,  to  whom 
my  hmited  space  will  not  allow  justice  to  be  done,  also 
labored  in  the  same  great  field.  Father  Schneider  died  in 
1764.  He  was  a  hoh;^  missionary.  His  apostolic  journeys 
often  led  him  to  the  interior  of  New  .lersey,  where  fanati- 
cism at  first  sought  his  life.  He  was  several  times  shot  at ; 
but  these  attempts  to  shorten  his  days  diminished  nothing 
of  his  zeal,  and  he  at  last  made  his  visits  objects  of  desire, 
even  to  Protestants,  towards  whom,  with  infinite  charity, 
he  fulfilled  the  functions  of  bodily  physician,  when  he  could 
not  become  the  physician  of  their  souls.  A  relic  of  this  ven- 
erable missionary  is  preserved,  which  attests  alike  his  pov- 
erty and  his  industry.  It  is  a  complete  copy  of  the  Poman 
Missal,  in  his  own  handwriting,  stoutly  bound ;  and  the 
holy  Jesuit  must  have  been  destitute  of  every  thing  to  copy 
so  patiently  a  quarto  volume  of  seven  hundred  pages  of 
print.f 

Long  before  the  Pe volution,  Lancaster,  Goshonhappon, 
and  Conewago  had  each  its  little  church  with  several  hun- 
dred communicants.  The  city  of  Philadelphia  anvl  these 
stations  formed  the  central  points  of  Catholicity  in  Pennsyl- 
vania during  the  days  of  British  rule.  But  while  the 
faithful  M'ere  allowed  to  live  in  comparative  peace  along  the 
Delaware,  their  creed  was  regarded  with  contempt.     Some 


*  After  the  Revolution  a  great  portion  of  the  Hessians  settled 
in  Pennsylvania.  None  of  them  wore  Catholics.  Most  of  thoni 
wore  Lutherans.  To  this  day  they  form  a  singular  population, 
obstinately  opposed  to  railroads,  telegraphs,  higher  education, 
and  everything  that  conies  under  the  name  of  modern  progress, 
~\New  York  Sun. 

t  De  Courcy. 


150  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


kl 


3  n 


mighty  change  was  necessary  to  sweep  away  the  barriers  of 
intolerance  and  ignorant  prcjndice — Ijarrie/s  which  owed 
their  origin  and  their  growth  to  Enghsh  power  in  America. 
It  was  at  hand. 

NEW  YORK. 

(1C2G--1Y75.) 

Before  the  Revohition,  Catholicity  enjoyed  a  preca- 
rious existence  in  what  is  now  tlie  Empire  State.  "We  are 
already  familiar  with  the  heroic  labors  of  Jogues,  Le  Moyne, 
Bressani,  and  other  celebrated  Jesuit  missionaries  among  the 
Iroquois.  New  York  (Jity  and  Albany  were  originally  set- 
tled by  the  Dutch.  The  wliole  colony  for  fifty  years 
acknowledged  the  sway  of  Holland.  In  1626,  Manhattan 
Island  was  purcliased  from  the  Indians  ;  and  the  little  cluster 
of  rude  log-houses  that  soon  sprung  up  had  the  name  New 
Amsterdam  fixed  upon  them — now  New  York  City,  with 
its  famous  Broadway  and  over  one  million  of  inhabitants. 

By  the  amended  chaiter  of  1640,  Protestantism  was  pro- 
claimed the  religion  of  the  colony.  But  we  do  not  read  of 
any  cases  of  persecution  during  the  period  of  Dutch  rule ; 
for,  if  the  laws  were  intolerant,  the23eople  were  liberal.  We 
can  recall  how  kijidly  Fatluir  Jogues  was  treated  by  the 
(iovernor  and  other  officials  in  1648;  and  it  does  not  appear 
that  the  two  Catholics  he  met  in  New  Amsterdam,  com- 
plained that  they  suffered  because  of  their  faith.  Several 
years  later.  Father  Le  Moyne  visited  the  same  place,  "  on 
account  of  Papists  residing  there,"  as  the  Dutch  minister 
phrases  it. 

CATHOLIC    LIBERALITY    IN    NEW    YORK. 

In  1664,  the  whole  colony  passed  into  the  hands  of  the 
English  Duke  of  York — afterwards  James  II. — from  whom 
it  received  its  name.  The  arrival  of  (^olonel  Thomas  Don- 
gan,  an  Irish  Catholic,  as  (lovernor,  in  1683,  aroused  new 
hoj)es  for  the  progress  of  the  Church  along  the  banks  of  the 
historic  Hudson. 


Tilt 

clap 

Ame]-i 

•'igainsl 

Xo. 

Their 

I'o  pun 

Voi'k  1 

^he  acts 

■'^t'ribed. 

Island  !■ 
*  '  Th 


The  Colonial  Church — Maryland,         151 


AVe 

the 

01  n- 

eval 

"on 

lister 


Governor  Dongan  was  a  man  of  marked  ability,  clear- 
headed, liberal,  progressive — rare  qualities  in  the  colonial 
rulers  of  that  day.  lie  called  together  the  first  Legislative 
As8eud)ly  that  ever  sat  in  the  State  of  New  York.  The  first 
act  of  that  Itody,  passed  October  80th,  1GS3,  was  a  charter 
of  liberties  declaring  that  "  no  person  or  persons,  which  pro- 
fess faith  in  God  by  Jesus  Christ,  shall  at  any  time  be  any 
ways  molested,  punished,  or  disquieted ;  but  that  all  and 
every  such  person  or  persons  may  from  time  to  time,  and 
nt  all  times  freely  have  and  fully  enjoy  his  or  their  judg- 
ments or  consciences  in  matters  of  religion,  throughout  all 
the  province." 

This  was  the  first  memorable  enactment  passed  by  the  first 
Legislative  Assembly,  which  was  presided  over  l)y  the  first 
Catholic  Governor  of  New  York  ;  and  at  a  time  when  toler- 
ation was  unknown  in  the  Protestant  colonies ;  at  a  time 
when  Catholics  were  hunted  hke  wild  beasts  in  Virginia  and 
Massachusetts !  The  history  of  our  country  proves  that 
(,'atholicity,  when  in  powor,  has  always  heaii  liberal. 

During  Governor  Dongan's  brief  rule  a  Catholic  colhtge 
was  opened  in  New  York  City,  and  M'e  learn  that  three 
priests  were  stationed  there  between  1683  and  1G90. 

PERSECUTION     IX    NEW   YOKK. 

The  Revolution  of  1G88  came.  It  fell  like  a  thunder- 
clap on  the  Catholics  of  Great  Britain,  Ireland,  and  the 
American  colonies.  The  most  severe  penalties  were  enacted 
against  them.  AVere  they  robbers,  murderers,  cannibals  ? 
Xo.  But  they  were  still  worse.  Theij  were  Catholics! 
Their  faith  was  their  fearful  anme  !  For  it  they  were  to 
be  punished,  and,  if  possible,  destroyed.  The  bigoted  New 
York  Assembly,  convoked  in  1G91,  "declared  null  and  void 
the  acts  of  the  Assembly  of  1683."  Catholicity  was  pro- 
scribed. So  rigid  were  the  odious  laws,  that,  in  1696,  but 
seven  Catholic  fannilies  could  be  found  on  Manhattan 
Island  !^ 


4^ 


"•  '  =  The  Church  in  the  United  States." 


152  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


1;: 


THE   NEW   YORK    PENAL    CODE. 

Yet,  new  enactments  were  necessary  to  calm  the  fears  of 
tlie  cowardly  bigots  who  appeared  to  tremble  at  the  very 
name  of  the  aged  Pope,  or  the  thought  that  a  Jgsuit  existed 
on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic.  A  colonial  act,  dated  1700, 
begins  with  the  following  qnaiiit  phraseology :  "  Whereas 
divers  Jesuits,  Priests,  and  Popishf  missionaries  have  of 
late  come,  &c."  The  remainder  is  a  tissue  of  lies,  absurdity, 
and  savage  penalties  quite  sufficient  to  bring  blushes  even 
to  the  cheek  of  a  Feejee  Islander.  A  few  of  the  penalties 
were:  (1.)  Any  Catholic  clergyman  found  within  the  lim- 
its of  the  colony  of  New  York  after  November  1st,  1700, 
should  be  "  deemed  an  incendiary,  an  enemy  of  the  Chris- 
tian religion,  and  shall  be  adjudged  to  suffer  perj^etual  im- 
prisonment." (2.)  If  a  Catholic  priest  escaped  from  prison, 
and  was  retaken,  he  was  to  suffer  death.  (3.)  Any  one 
hai-boring  a  priest  was  liable  to  be  fined  $1,000,  and  to  stand 
three  days  on  the  pillory.  We  have  yet  to  learn  that  the 
fools  who  made  the  above  were  sent  to  the  insane  asylum  I 

Another  law  was  passed  in  1701,  excluding  Catholics  from 


l!'?-i      9, 


t  "Papist,"  "Popish,"  "Popery";  "  Romanist,"  "  Romish," 
"  Romanism."  Persons  who  still  use  such  vulgar  words  may  be 
forgiven,  but  thoy  are  to  be  pitied  for  their  ignorance.  These 
offensive  terms  were  formerly  applied  to  Catholics  by  their  viru- 
lent Protestant  persecutors.  The  same  unholy  and  uncultured 
spirit  that  produced  the  penal  laws,  gave  the  world  this  mongrel 
brood  of  ragged  and  boorish  words.  "  Papist  "  was  first  used  as 
a,  nickname  lor  Catholics  by  that  brawling  theologian  and  coarse 
author,  Martin  Luther.  The  others  had  their  disgraceful  origin 
in  England.  No  writer,  making  any  pretention  to  familiarity 
with  elegant  English,  can  use  such  outcasts.  They  are  literary 
eyesores,  forbidden  alike  by  courtesy,  good  sense,  and  elegance 
of  style.  The  author  who  employs  them  simply  proclaims  him- 
self a  bigot,  if  not  an  ignoramus.  Things  and  persons  should  be 
called  by  their  right  names.  Even  "  a  .v^^af^e  should  be  called  n 
spade ;''''  and,  with  much  more  reason,  a  Catholic  shouldhe  called 
a  Catholic.  If  we  do  not  ask  more  than  this,  at  least,  we  will  be 
fiatisfied  with  no  less. 


o 

it, 

r\ 

kh 

for 

Jiat 

65C 

taki 

nnti 

func 

bishc 

anyc 

m  1 

youth 
sendir 

chase  ] 

^^in  th 

of  En^ 

oiicity 

of  earti 


As  in 

faith  bu 

Fork  G 

^^'^lich  is 

^mei'ica. 

^^^'Qni  str 

^^'e  city, 

"ever  pro 

^^^e  beastl^ 

^*  the  sta 
''nti  fifty  ii 


The  Colonial  Church— Maryland.         153 

office,  and  deprivlno:  them  of  the  riglit  to  vote.     In  1702, 
Queen  Ann  "  granted  liberty  of  conscience  to  all  the  inhab- 
itants of  New  York,  Papiks  excepted:'     Nor  was  this  all. 
The  home  authorities  were  yet  far  from  satisfied.  The  Brit- 
ish Parliament,  in  1718,  passed  a  few  more  gracious  decrees 
for  the  happiness  of  Catholics,  which  I  cannot  omit,  as  they 
had  full  force  in  the  American  colonies  :     (1.)  A  reward  of 
$500  was  ofifered  to  any  one  who  should  "  apprehend  and 
laics  a  Popish  bishop,  priest,  or  Jesuit,  and  prosecute  him 
until  convicted  of  saying  Mass,  or  of  exercising  any  other 
function  of  a  Popish  bishop,  or  priest."     (2.)  "  Any  Popish 
bishop,  priest,  or  Jesuit "  found  saying  Mass,  or  exercising 
any  other  part  of  his  office,  was  to  be  perpetually  imprisoned, 
(3.)  Any  Catholic  convicted  of  keeping  school,  or  educating 
youth,  was  to  be  perpetually '\\\\^x\^o\iQ^.     (4.)  Any  person 
sending  his  child  abroad,  to  he  educated  in  the  Catholic 
faith,  should  be  fined  $500.     (5.)  No  Catholic  could  pur- 
chase lands.     But  enough.     A  volume  would  scarcely  con- 
tain the  whole  shameful  code.     The  tyrannical  government 
of  England  did  its  utmost  to  rob  every  man  professing  Cath- 
olicity of  the  rights  bestowed  upon  him  by  the  great  God 
of  earth  and  Heaven  I 

DISGKACEFUL    SCENES. 

As  time  passed  on,  the  fiendish  rancor  against  the  ancient 
faith  but  increased.  In  1741,  an  event  occurred  in  New 
York  City— then  containing  about  20,000  inhabitants— 
which  is  to  the  everlasting  disgrace  of  British  authority  in 
America.  From  the  fact  that  a  few  fires  took  place  in  dif- 
ferent streets,  "  the  negroes  were  accused  of  a  plot  to  burn 
the  city,  and  massacre  the  inhabitants."  The  accusation  was 
never  proved ;  but  popular  clamor  had  to  be  appeased,  and 
the  beastly  thirst  for  blood  was  apparent  alike  among  the 
rabble,  the  higher  classes,  and  the  very  officers  of  the  law  ! 
At  the  stake  eleven  negroes  were  burnt  alive,  eighteen  hung, 
and  fifty  transported  to  the  West  Indies  in  expiation  of  this 


i; 


154  Catholicily  in  the  United  States. 


pretended  plot.*  But  diseased  fancies  songlit  another  eansc 
for  the  "great  conspiracy."  Might  it  not  be  Jesuits  in  dis- 
guise %  Long  and  strict  was  the  search  to  lind  out  one  of 
these  harmless,  but  much-dreaded  personages  !  At  length, 
they  fell  upon  John  Ury,  supposed  to  be  a  Catholic  priest. 
He  was  tried,  condemned  on  the  most  unworthy  evidence, 
and  barbarously  executed,  to  satisfy  the  morbid  cravings  of 
civilized  fanatics.f  A  Protestant  writer  referring  to  this 
event  says : 

"  The  terrible  cry  of  Popery  was  now  raised  (1741),  which 
struck  teiTor  to  the  hearts  of  all,  and  led  to  the  sacrifice  of 
an  amiable  and  interesting  clergyman,  of  whose  innocence 
there  can  scarcely  remain  a  doubt,  so  absurd  was  the  charge 
against  him,  and  so  feebly  was  it  supported.":}: 

From  this  memoraljle  incident  we  learn  that  there  were  a 
few  Catholics  in  !New  York,  about  the  middle  of  the  eight- 
eenth century ;  but  they  scarcely  durst  avow  it  to  each 
other,  and  this  state  of  intimidation  lasted  till  the  Revolu- 
tionary War. 

*  De  Courcy. 

t  From  the  facts  at  hand,  I  have  no  doubt  that  Mr.  Ury  was 
not  a  Catholic  clergyman,  or  a  Catholic  at  all,  whatever  else  he 
was. 

X  Chandler. 


HON.  THOMAS  DONGAN.* 


First  Catholic  Governor  of  Neio  York. 
"  The  just  shall  be  in  everlasting  remembrance."~PRovKnB^. 

In  the  honored  list  of  the  Colonial  Governors  of  New  York,  the 
name  of  Colonel  Thomas  Dongan  justly  holds  the  first  place.  He 
belonged  to  an  ancient  nnd  noble  Irish  family,  and  was  born  in 
1634,  in  the  county  Kildare,  Ireland.  His  father  was  Sir  John 
Dongan,  of  Castletown  ;  while  one  of  his  uncles,  on  the  mater- 
nal side,  was  the  famous  Richard  Talbot,  Earl  of  Tyrconnell, 
who  figured  so  conspicuously  in  the  reign  of  James  II.,  and  who, 
at  one  time,  aimed  at  securing  the  absolute  independence  of 
Ireland. 

Young  Dongan  after  receiving  an  excellent  education,  and  be- 
ing well  grounded  in  the  religion  of  his  fathers,  embraced  the 
profession  of  arms.  He  entered  the  service  of  France.  By  his 
bravery  and  ability,  he  soon  reached  the  rank  of  Colonel,  and 
commanded  a  regiment  under  Louis  XIV. 

In  obedience,  however,  to  a  decree  of  the  English  parliament, 
Colonel  Dongan  returned  to  his  native  country;  and  by  Charles 
II.  was  appointed  a  general  officer  in  the  English  army  with  an 
annual  pension  of  £500,  settled  on  him  for  life. 

At  this  time,  as  has  been  already  noticed,  the  American  prov- 
ince of  New  Y'^ork  was  under  the  proprietory  government  of 
James,  Duke  of  Y'ork.  But  the  administration  of  alfairs  by  his 
deputy  produced  great  discontent  ;  and  the  Duke  resolved  to 
place  the  reins  of  government  in  some  wise  and  skillful  hand. 
Colonel  Dongan  was  selected  as  the  new  ruler.  His  commission 
bears  date  of  September  30th,  1682.  By  this  document  he  was 
ordered  to  hold  a  general  assembly,  which  was  not  to  exceed 
eighteen  members,  in  New  York  City.  Amongother  instructions 
he  was  commanded  to  repress  "  drunkenness  and  debauchery, 
swearing  and  blasphemy,"  and  to  appoint  none  to  office  who 
may  be  given  to  such  vices.  He  was  also  to  encourage  commerce 
and  merchants. 

Governor  Dongan  arrived  in  New  York,  in  August,  1683.  His 
duties  were  rendered  most  delicate  and  embarrassing  by  the 
previous  bad  government,  and  by  the  fact  that  he  himself  was  a 
professed  and  zealous  Catholic,  while  the  community  whose  des- 

*  Chiefly  from  Dr.  R.  II.  Clarlic's  biography  of  DoDgan  in  the  CathoUe 
Wor-<L 

(J55) 


l!      :, 


'>*■*■  ' 

m 


i 

i 


'1  >«] 


m  m 


Hi , 


Its  - 


i'l 


156  CalJiolicity  in  the  United  States. 

tinies  ho  was  commissioned  to  guide  were  almost  without  excop- 
tli>n  Protf'stants,  nnd,  nt  that  tiino,  pocullarly  liu!lln<!(l  to  look 
with  distrust  and  hatred  upon  all  "  Papists."  But  difTli'ultios 
vanished  before  the  enlightened  policy  and  courteous  manners 
of  fiovernor  Dongan.  "  lie  was  of  the  Roman  Catholic  faith," 
writes  the  Protestant  historian  Booth,  "  a  fact  which  rendered 
him  at  llrst  obnoxious  to  many  ;  but  his  firm  and  judicious 
policy,  his  steadfast  integrity,  and  his  pleashig  and  courteous  ad- 
dross  soon  won  the  affections  of  the  people,  and  made  him  one 
of  the  most  popular  of  the  Royal  Governors." 

He  llrst  organized  his  council,  which  was  composed  of  gentle- 
men of  tlio  Dutch  Reformed  and  English  Churches.  Catholics, 
however,  were  no  longer  excluded  from  office,  nor  from  the 
practice  of  their  religion.  The  Governor  had  a  chapel  in  which 
himself,  his  suite,  his  servants,  and  all  the  Catholics  of  the 
province  could  attend  divine  service,  according  to  their  own 
faith.  A  Jesuit  Father  who  accompanied  him  from  England 
was  his  chaplain. 

On  the  17th  of  October,  1683,  Governor  Dongan  convoked  the 
first  Cieneral  Assembly  of  New  York.  I  have  already  referred  to 
the  charter  of  liberties  passed  by  that  body,  while  presided  over 
by  the  Catholic  Governor.  Besides  this,  wise  laws  were  enacted 
for  the  good  government  of  New  York  City,  then  the  capital 
and  seat  of  government.  On  the  8th  of  December,  1683,  the 
city  was  divided  into  six  wards,  each  of  which  was  entitled  to 
elect  an  Alderman  and  a  Councilman,  annually,  to  represent 
them  in  the  governnumt  of  the  city.  The  Mayor  was  appointed 
by  the  Governor  and  Common  Council. 

In  1686  Governor  Dongan  received  a  new  commission  from 
James  II.,  who  had  recently  ascended  the  English  throne.  The 
(.Governor,  in  this  year,  signalized  his  administration  by  grant- 
ing, in  the  name  and  by  the  authority  of  his  sovereign,  the 
celebrated  instrument  known  as  the  Dongan  Charter.  This 
document  constitutes  to  this  day  the  basis  and  foundation  of 
the  municipal  laws,  rights,  privileges,  and  franchises  of  New 
York  City. 

Albany  also  received  its  first  charter  from  Governor  Dongan. 

The  Governor's  residence  was  at  the  English  fort,  the  site  of 
which  was  near  where  Trinity  Church  now  stands.  "  Consider- 
able improvements,"  says  Valentine,  "were  made  in  the  city  in 
Governor  Dongan's  time."  The  city  wall,  erected  in  1653,  was 
removed,  and  the  city  enlarged.  On  the  site  of  the  old  wall, 
the  Governor  had  a  now  street  laid  out  and  built.     It  was 


ability. 


Hi 


The  Colonial  Chtirch — Maryland.         157 


[of 


fittingly  named  Wall  stroot.    It  is  now  well  known  as  the  groat 
tlnancial  centro  of  Aiiiorlca. 

In  Indian  affairs,  (iov.  Dongan  tools  a  groat  interest.  The 
name  of  "Dongan,  the  wliito  father,"  was  ronionibored  in  tho 
lodges  of  tho  Iro(Hiois  long  after  it  had  grown  indifferent  to  his 
countrymen  at  Matihattan.  Indeed,  his  masterstroke  of  Indian 
policy  was  in  gaining  the  alliance  of  the  Five  Nations,  securing 
their  submission  to  the  English  government  in  preferouco  to 
that  of  tho  French,  and  carrying  our  northern  frontier  to  tho 
great  lakes. 

Tho  project  of  colonizing  Now  York  State  with  his  country- 
men from  Ireland,  was  a  favorite  scheme  with  Gov.  Dongan,  but 
his  term  of  office  was  too  brief  to  afford  him  the  pleasure  of  see- 
ing it  carried  out. 

Hy  his  vigor  in  tho  prosocntion  of  various  excellent  measures, 
ho  incurred  the  disapprobation  of  James  II.,  who  suspended  him 
from  oflice  about  April,  1G8S.  "  lie  fell  into  tho  king's  displeas- 
ure," says  the  historian  Smith,  "  through  his  zeal  for  tho  true 
interest  of  the  province."  Jaraos  aftei-wards  offered  him  a  com- 
mission as  major-general  in  tho  British  army,  but  ho  declined  it. 

Gov.  Dongan  now  retired  to  his  estate  on  Staten  Island.  After 
tho  revolution  in  England,  he  was  daily  harassed  by  the  relig- 
ious bigots  of  the  time.  On  learning  that  the  Now  York  assem- 
bly of  1G91  had  repealed  his  own  Wi  e  and  liberal  enactments  in 
relation  to  freedom  of  conscience,  and  that  fanatical  laws  wore 
passed  againyt  Catholics,  Gov.  Dongan  returned  in  disgust  to 
England.  On  the  death  of  his  brother  in  Ireland,  ho  succeedt d 
to  the  hitter's  titles  and  estates,  which  he  held  for  about  lifteen 
years.  He  was  never  again  in  the  service  of  England.  He  died 
at  London  at  a  ripe  old  ago.  Tho  following  is  the  inscription  on 
his  tomb-stone  in  tho  churchyard  of  St.  Pancras,  Middlesex : 

"  The  Right  Honorable  Thomas  Dongan, 

Earl  of  Limerick, 

Died  Dec.  14th,  aged  eighty-one  years, 

1715. 

Requiescat  in  pace.     Amen." 


Gov.  Dongan  was  a  man  of  wide  grasj)  of  mind,  tireless  energy, 
fearless  courage,  great  prudence,  and  remarkable  executive 
ability.  While  others  were  gazing  at  obstacles,  he  saw  through 
them,  or  had  them  removed.  While  in  power,  success  smiled 
on  nearly  all  his  measures.     To  plan  and  to  execute  were  to 


•il 


;|i 


158  Catholicity  in  tJic   United  States. 

him  ohnost  the  fianie.  If  to-day  tho  State  of  New  York  is 
bounded  on  the  north  by  Lak<?  Ontario  and  tho  River  St. 
Lawrence,  who  will  deny  that  this  is  due  to  tlie  abihty  of  her 
first  Catliolio  governor  ?  He  was  a  soldier  of  iinsullied  honor, 
and  one  of  tlio  most  unselfish  of  men.  Unlike  the  great  major- 
ity of  other  colonial  governors,  who  commonly  came  to  Amsrica 
to  enrich  themselvce.  Gov.  Dongan  expended  most  of  his  private 
fortune  for  the  pablic  good.  He  was  liberal  in  an  ago  of  intol- 
erance. A  strict  Cathohc,  he  mled  a  Protestant  community  with 
a  justice  that  compehed  admiration,  and  a  cliarivy  tliat  trans- 
formed bitter  enemies  into  friends.  He  was  a  mi?n  of  uncon)- 
promising  principle,  and  the  British  empire  could  not  bay  him 
to  do  anything  but  his  duty.  Ho  died  as  he  had  lived  in  tho 
blessed  religion  of  his  fathers,  and  covered  with  years  and 
honors. 


OFF. 


The  Colonial  Church — Marylaiid.         159 


NEW  ENGLAND,  YmGINIA,  AND   THE  OTHER 

COLONIES. 

Before  tlie  Tievoliition,  y.  e  need  scarcely  look  for  a  sinojle 
representative  of  Catholicity  in  all  New  England,  Virginia, 
tlie  Carolinas,  and  Georgia.  There,  intolerance  held  undis- 
pnted  sway.  The  penal  code  reigned  supreme.  The  fol- 
lower of  the  ancient  faith  was  denied  freedom  even  where 
the  wolf  and  the  bear  roamed  at  h'berty.  Like  his  Divine 
Master,  lie  bad  scarcely  "  where  to  lay  his  head  "  in  safety. 

New  England. 
In  New  England  the  peaceful  Quaker  and  the  unoffend- 
ing Catholic  were  treated  with  about  equal  cruelty.  The 
Legislature  of  Massachusetts  in  16i7,  enacted,  that  Jesuits 
entering  the  colony  should  be  expelled,  and,  if  they  returned, 
hanged."  As  years  passed  on,  each  new  enactment  sur- 
passed the  other  in  positive  ferocity.  In  1057,  the  forego- 
ing Puritan  body  passed  a  law  against  the  entrance  of 
Quakers,  wliicli  is  its  own  best  comnientary.  For  daring  to 
come  among  the  Christian  (?)  Pilgrim  Fathers  of  New  Eng- 
land, "  every  male  Quaker  shall,  for  the  first  offence,  have 
ONE  OF  HIS  EARS  CUT  OFF,  and  be  kept  at  work  in  the  house 
of  correction  till  he  can  be  sent  away  at  his  own  charge ; 
and  for  the  second  offence,  shall  have  the  other  ear  cut 
OFF,  and  be  kept  at  the  house  of  correction  as  aforesaid. 
And  every  woman  Quaker  that  shall  presume  to  come  into 
this  jurisdiction,  sif  all  be  severely  whipt,  and  kept  at  the 

*  The  laws  of  Connecticut  were  equally  severe.  In  the  Blua 
Laws  of  that  State  we  read  :  "  No  priest  shall  abide  in  this  do- 
minion :  he  shall  be  banished  and  sliall  suffer  death  on  his  re- 
turn. Priests  may  be  seized  by  any  one  without  a  warrant." 
This  clause  was  in  force  before  165G.  See  Spalding's  Miscellanea^ 
p.  iiu8. 

"No  food  or  lodging  shall  be  afforded  to  a  Quaker,  Adamite, 
or  other  h. ^etic."     Blue  Laws  of  Conn.,  p.  122. 

Hero  was  a  law  which  knew  not  liberality — a  religion  igno- 
rant of  charity! 


Hi 


i6o  Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 

house  of  correction  till  she  be  sent  away  at  lier  own  charge. 
And  for  every  Quaker  (man  or  M'oman)  that  shall  a  third 
time  herein  olfuiid,  they  shall  have  their  toxgues  bored 
THP.ouoH  WITH  A  EED  HOT  iiiox,  aiid  kept  at  the  house  of 
cori'cction  till  they  he  sent  away  at  their  own  charge."* 

"  It  were  hard  to  say,"  writes  John  Francis  Magiiirc, 
"  whether  the  Puritan  was  more  ferociously  in  earnest  in  his 
persecution  of  (Quakers  and  Catholics,  or  in  his  extermina- 
tion of  witches — for  a  profound  helief  in  witchcraft  was  one 
of  the  most  striking  evidences  of  his  enlightenment  and 

good  sense In  Catholic  Maryland  there  had  been 

no  ear-cropping,  no  boring  of  tongues  with  hot  pokers — such 
exhibitions  of  brotherl}^  love  and  mercy  were  reserved  for 
the  Plymouth  Fathers." 

YlUGIXlA. 

Coming  to  Virginia,  a  few  enactments  from  its  penal 
code  may  not  be  out  of  place  here  :  (1).  "  Papists ''  shall  be 
incapable  to  be  witnesses  in  ax.^,  cause  whatsoever.  (2).  jSTo 
"  Papist"  can  keep  :irms.  (3).  No  "  Papist "  can  possess  any 
horse  above  the  value  of  five  pounds.  Thus  Catholics  could 
not  be  witnesses  even  against  negroes  ! 

Geoeoia  and  the  Caeolinas.  I 

I  deem  it  unnceessai'y  to  say  anything  of  the  Carol  inas  and 
Georgia.  It  is  doul)tful  if  a  k7iOwn  Catholic  could  be  found 
within  their  limits  before  the  Revolution.  Yet  the  penal 
laws  ilonrished  as  well  at  the  South  as  in  the  North.  To 
the  Catholic  it  mattered  little  \vhether  he  resided  on  the 
banks  of  the  Connecticut,  tlie  Hudson,  or  the  Savannah — 
he  was  still  the  same  unhapj»y  object  of  hatred  and  persecu- 
tion ! 

SuJiMAKT    AND    CONCLUSION. 

To  sum  up  :  as  an  organized  body  the  Catholic  Church 
had  no  existence  in  the  thirteen  origiiud  States,  previous  to 

*  Colonial  nhi"  Lawn.  pp.  14-15,  quoted  by  Arcbbishop  Spald- 
in;,'  in  his  Miscillanea,  p.  374. 


The  Colo7iial  Church — Maryland.         i6i 


n 


the  Revoluiion.  In  the  most  of  tl  in  the  Cathoh't  was  an 
outlaw,  the  priest  a  felon.  Under  English  tyranny  the 
growth  of  Catholicity  was  stifled.  Let  figures  speak.  Just 
a  century  ago,  out  of  the  three  million  of  inha])itants  in  the 
American  colonies,  there  were  scarcely  as  many  Catholics  as 
would  populate  a  fifth-rate  city — about  fifteen  thousand  in 
Maryland  and  tea  thousand  in  Pennsylvania,  New  York, 
and  elsewhere — in  all,  about  twenty-five  thousand,  or  one  in 
every  Oh''  himdred  and  twenty  oi  the  population.  Mary- 
land ]i  .:,.sessed  a  number  of  private  chapels.  Even  in  1774, 
Baltimore  wab  a  station  visited  once  a  month.  Catholics 
of  XeAV  York  city  had  to  go  to  Philadelphia  to  receive  the 
Sacraments,  i  unnsylvania  counted  five  or  six  chapels — 
two  in  Philadelphia,  the  others  in  various  country  places. 
There  were  about  twenty -five  or  twenty-six  priests,  but  no 
bishop,  h"  (biu'cli,  no  Catholic  college,  or  academy — noth- 
ing of  aii  :i..it  we  see  to-day.  This  was  Catholicity  in  the 
United  States  one  hundred  years  ago  !* 

*  In  an  ablo  article  on  "  Roligion  in  the  United  States,  from 
177G  to  1876,"  in  tlie  North  American  Ecvieio  for  .Januury,  1876, 
it  is  Btatcd  that  there  were  twtnty-six  priests  and  about  twice 
as  many  Catholic  con£?regations  at  the  Revolution.  "  The  rites 
of  the  Church,"  continues  tho  reviewer,  "  were  publicly  cele- 
brated nowhere  but  m  Philadelphia." 

According  to  the  same  writer  the  CongregationalLsts  were  the 
most  numerous  and  intluontial  body  in  this  country  at  the  be- 
ginning of  the  Revolution.  They  counted  700  churches  and 
nearly  as  many  luinisters.  The  Bnj)tists  came  next,  niiiabering 
300  ministers  and  80  churches  ;  the  Episcopalians  about  300 
churches;  the  Presbyterians  about  300  churches;  the  Reformed 
Duljh,  Lutheran  and  German  Reformed,  each  had  about  60 
churches;  and  the  Catholics  as  above.  This  wa.s  the  order  of 
numi^rical  strength  of  the  various  religious  bodies.  Time  has 
greatly  changed  this  order.  To-day  it  can  safely  be  said  that 
the  last  is  frst,  if  the  first  is  not  last. — See  N.  A,  Review,  Jan- 
uary, 1876. 

II 


r 


t-H 


"II 

liberal 
which 
their  I 
which 
Count 

BATT 
CI] 
CA 
NA 
OS 
CA 
8E 
PU 
6T; 


Jui 

away 
made 
For  s 
day, 


BOOK   II. 


CHAPTER  I. 

the  catholics  and  the  revolijtton. 
(a.  D.   1775-83.) 

"  I  liope  ever  to  see  America  among  thcvforemost  nations  in  examples  of  justice  and 
liberality.  And  I  presume  that  your  fellow-citizenw  will  not  forj^et  the  patriotic  part 
which  you  tooli  in  the  accompli.shraent  of  their  Revolution  and  the  establishment  of 
their  government,  or  the  important  assistance  which  they  receive  from  a  nation  in 
which  the  Roman  Catholic  faith  is  professed."  *— Washington,  "  the  Father  of  His 
Country." 

BATTMXG     FOU     FREEDOM— CVTHOLT0     CONCH,! ATION     AR    A     POLICY — 
CIIAULES  CAIinOLL— "THE   LEXINGTON  OF  THE   SEAS  "   FOUGHT  BY 
CATHOLIC— COMMODORE    BARIIY,    THE    "  PATHEU  OP   THE   AMERICAN 
NAVY" — RE\^    DR.    CARROLL   AS    A   PATHIOT— COL.  MOVLAN — GENER- 
OSITY   OF     CATHOLIC     MERCHANIS- WASHINGTON'S     LIFE     GUARD — 

c.vrnoLic  ikeland — catholic  france  aiding  us  on  land  and 

SEA — generous  catholic  SPAIN — C.\TH0L1C  POLAND- THE  "PAINT- 
PRAISE  "  SCHOOL  OP  ^VRITERS — THE  DE.VTH  O*  TYRANNY — A  NEW 
STAR   ARISES. 

"  There  is  a  land  of  every  land  the  pride. 
Beloved  by  Heaven  o"<>r  all  the  world  beside  ; 
There  is  a  spot  of  earth  supremely  blesit, 
A  dearer,  sweeter  spot  than  all  the  rect ; 
And  thou  shalt  tlud  howe'er  th\  io(*tstep8  roam, 
That  land  thy  country  and  that  spot  thy  home." 


>.^ 


V''f,i 


THE    UAITLE    O^    FREEDOM   B£UINii. 

Just  fifteen  vears  after  the  roar  of  the  last  cannon  died 
away  on  the  Plains  of  Abraham,  the  heroism  of  brave  men 
made  Punker  Hill  ever  famous  in  the  annuls  of  America. 
I'or  six  huiKh'od  years  before  the  smi  shono  on  that  glorious 
day,  England  hfuJ  carried  on  a  syt^tem  of  |)lundtr  and  rob- 

♦Roply  to  tlio  rJaliiolk*. 

(  63) 


n 


I 


164  Calliolicity  in  the   United  States. 

bery  in  Ii'claiul ;  and,  for  more  tlian  two  hundred  years,  she 
had  exerted  hoi*  utmost  power  to  deprive  Catliolics  of  their 
civil  and  religious  rights — to  utterly  destroy  the  ancient  faith 
and  its  professors  !  It  was  scarcely  to  be  expected  that  the 
nation  with  such  a  record  would  willingl)'  respect  the  rights 
of  her  American  colonies.  And  the  hour  had,  at  length, 
arrived  to  battle  for  life  and  liberty.  England  was  deter- 
mined to  ruin  or  to  rule  from  Maine  to  Georgia.  It  is  in 
times  like  those  that  men  are  tried  as  tire  tries  iron. 


'- 1 


ORIGIN   OF   CATHOLIC    CONCILIATION. 

We  have  already  learned  how  the  penal  laws  had  frowned 
on  Catholics  since  the  days  of  William  III.  of  Boyne  celebrity. 
It  was  the  same  in  Great  Lritaii,,  Ireland,  and  America — 
codes  that  might  be  fathered  on  his  Satanic  Majesty  reigned 
supreme  in  each.  However,  as  the  period  of  the  Be\^olu- 
tion  drew  near,  it  became  necessary,  as  a  matter  of  State 
policy,  to  conciliate  the  Catholics,  to  unire  all  in  the  coming 
struggle  with  (he  mother  country.  In  fact,  "men began  to 
be  ashamed  of  bigotry  when  George  III.  personated  it." 
Hence,  the  more  intelligent  of  American  Protestants  as- 
sumed a  liberal  tone,  and  the  Continental  Congress  of  1 774 
pronounced  for  the  broadest  toleration.  In  1776,  the  Catho- 
lics of  IMaryland — many  of  them  very  rich  and  inlluential 
men — were  emancipated,  full  toleration,  and  civil  and  re- 
ligious ecjuality  la-ing  granted  to  them.  The  same  cannot  be 
said  of  all  rhe  other  colonies,  for,  as  yet  "  there  was  not 
wanting  a  ])arty  which  still  cherished  the  worst  spirit  of  the 
penal  times."  In  tiie  nc  xt  chapter,  we  shall  give  a  brief 
view  of  the  rise  and  progress  of  toleration  in  our  Kepublic. 


THE    CATI/OjjrS    As    REVOLl'TIOXARY    HEROES. 

The  f  Catholics  took  anoble])art  in  the  Revolution.  Witii 
a  never-to-be-forgotten  magnaniinity,  the  persecuted  follow- 
ers of  the  creed  of  Alfred  and  (  harlemagne,  drew  the  veil 
of  oblivion  over  all  past  grievances,  thought  only  of  present 


The  Catholics  and  the  Revolutiojt. 


165 


duty,  and  threw  their  whole  weight  into  the  scale  of  inde- 
pendence !  One  of  the  most  famous  and  learned  of  the 
signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Tndcjycmlence  was  the  Catho- 
lic Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton.  "  There  go  millions," 
remarked  Ben  Franklin,  as  Carroll,  in  a  hold  hand,  wrote 
his  name  on  the  innnortal  document.  Of  all  the  brave 
band  whose  signatures  are  there,  he  staked  the  most. 

"  Oh  !  next  to  our  glorious  rebel  chief, 
And  next  on  the  page  of  fame, 
A  tower  of  strength  in  bold  relief 
Stands  Charles  Carroirs  name." 

"  The  Lexington  of  the  Seas  " — as  Cooper  terms  it — the 
first  sea  fight,  was  fought  under  a  Catholic  commander,  Jere- 
miah O'Brien.  This  naval  encounter  took  place  on  ]\ray 
11th,  1T75,  in  Machias  Bay,  Maine;  and  resulted  in  the 
capture  of  two  British  store  ships.  O'Brien  and  his  four 
brothers  did  the  work  of  a  score  on  that  day. 

*'  And  thus  was  fought  the  battle  that  helped  to  make  us  free — 
1l1\\q  first  fought  by  America  for  freedom  on  the  sea ! " 

Commodore  John  Barry,  a  })ious  Catholic,  is  justly  styled 
the  "  Father  of  the  American  Navy."  A  truer,  braver  man, 
perhaps,  never  lived.  lie  not  only  foimded  our  navy,  fought 
and  won  its  earlv  battles,  and  •'  died  at  the  head  of  the  serv- 
ice;"  but  he  alr.o  trained  the  skillful  commanders  who  in- 
creased its  fame — Murray,  Decateur,  Dale,  and  Stewart. 

"There  are  gallant  hearts  whose  glory 

Columbia  loves  to  nanie, 
"NVliose  deeds  shall  livo  in  stury 

And  everlasting  fame. 
But  never  yet  one  braver, 

Our  starry  banner  bore, 
Than  saucy  old  Jack  Barry, 

The  Irish  Commodore."' 


(ER   .roi'N    CAEROT.L,    S.J.,    THP:    PATRIOT    PRIEST. 

In   the  spring  of  1776,    Congress  dis[)atchcd   Fi-anklin, 
Chatse,  and  Cliarkrs  CattoW  to  (Canada,  for  the  i»nrpose  of 


1 66  CatJiolicity  in  the  United  States. 


giiiiiiii<j^  over  tlio  Canadians  to  their  cause.  Father  Jolin 
Carroll  was  invited  to  join  them,  in  the  hope  that  he  would 
exercise  some  influence  over  the  Catholic  clergy.  Owing  to 
vainous  causes,  hut  especially  to  the  spirit  of  bigotry  that 
yet  existed  in  the  tliirteen  colonies,  the  Canadians  were  not 
to  he  moved ;  the  embassy  proved  a  failure  ;  and  the  mem- 
bers returned,  after  a  few  weeks  stay  in  Alontreal.  "  In  the 
extraordinary  history  of  the  Society  of  Jesus,"  writes  De 
Courcy,  "  the  case  of  this  Jesuit  ambassador  from  a  Con- 
gress of  Protestants,  is  not  the  least  remarkable  episode. 
*  -)f  *  'pjjg  gQj^g  Q-f  g^_  Ignatius  can  point  to  Father  John 
Carroll  as  a  sincere  patriot,  a  zealous  partizan  of  liberty,  and 
one  of  the  real  founders  of  American  Independence." 

NO    CATHOLIC    TRAITORS. 

All  the  Catholics  of  the  liepublic  went  heart  and  hand  for 
the  good  cause.  Among  them  were  no  traitors.*  They 
could  be  found  in  all  positions  from  the  simple  sailor  to  the 
head  of  our  navy,  from  the  private  to  the  major-general. 
As  an  able  writer  remarks  :  "  Colonel  Moylan  and  others  of 
the  most  meritorious  officers  of  the  army  were  Roman  Catho- 
lics! "f  Moylan  was  a  native  of  Ireland.  At  the  head  of 
his  famous  dragoons,  "  he  was  in  nearly  every  important 
engagement  during  the  w^ar." 

*"Tliere  was  no  Catholic  traitor  during  our  Revolution." — 
Archbishop  Spalding,  ' '  Miscellanea." 

"  The  Catholics  from  Maine  to  Georgia  fron.  the  Atlantic  to 
tlie  Pacific,  with  their  clergy,  at  once  took  sides  earnestly  and 
heartily  in  the  nsitional  cause,  'f  ijore  were  no  Tories,  no  falter- 
ers  and  final  deserters  among  them  ;  none  to  shout  for  Congress 
while  they  carefully  carried  a  British  i^rotection  for  emergencies. 
The  Catholics  were  to  a  man  staunch  and  true,  which  can  bo 
8aid  of  none  of  the  sects  ;  for  the  Methodists,  following  the  course 
of  their  founder,  Wesley,  were  all  on  the  Tory  side,  and  nearly 
every  other  denomination  was  divided.  Catliolics  bore  their 
part  bravely  ;  and  stood  by  the  cause  sturdily  when  men  like 
Arnold  made  their  Protestantism  a  pretext  for  deserting  the 
cause."  Dr.  J.  G.  Shka  in  "American  Catholic  Quarterly 
Review."    Vol.  I. 

t  "Tjfe  of  rion.  Re.nl." 


The  Catholics  and  the  Revolution.         167 

When  distress  hovered  over  this  fair  land,  wliomore  gen- 
erous than  the  Catholics  'i  Among  the  names  of  the  merchant 
contributors  of  Philadelphia,  in  1780,  may  be  found  many 
Catholic  names,  a  few  of  which  are  here  given  : 

James  Measo  for .  $25,000 

HughSheil        " 25,000 

John  Mease      " 20,000 

S.  Dolaney        " 4,000 

General  Washington's  "  Life  Guard,"  a  most  choice  body 
of  men,  was  composed  largely  of  Catholics.  The  soldiers  of 
this  famous  corps  were  selected  with  special  reference  to 
their  physical,  moral,  and  intellectual  character.  It  was  con- 
sidered a  mark  of  peculiar  distinction  to  belong  to  the  Com- 
mander-in-chief's Guard.  Among  them  may  be  found  such 
Catholic  names  as  Charles  Dougherty,  James  Hughes,  Denis 
Moriarty,  William  llennessy,  Jeremiah  Driscoll,  S.  Dailey, 
John  Finch,  Thomas  Gillen,  and  others. 

WHO    WEKE    THE    FOES?        WHO    THE    FRIENDS    OF    THE    YOUNG 

REPUBLIC  ? 

Many  do  not  appear  to  know  that  the  foes  of  the  young 
Kepublic  were  Protestant  England,  Protestant  Tories,  and 
a  hired  band  of  Protestant  Hessian  cut-throats;  while  all 
the  external  assistance  and  icords  of  cheer  cams  from  CatJi- 
olics  and  Catholic  nations.    But  such  is  the  fact. 


m 


i  I 


CATHOLIC    IRELAND. 

Nobly  did  the  brave  sons  of  Catholic  Ireland  battle  and 
lay  down  their  lives  for  our  struggling  country.  "  Can 
Americans,"  says  Archbishop  Spalding,  "  foi'get  that  the 
Irish  were  the  ^r^^  people  in  Europe  to  sympathize  with  us, 
and  that  this  generous  sympathy  and  the  aid  Irishmen  sub- 
sequently afforded  us  was  alleged  by  the  British  Court  as  rea- 
sons why  the  petitions  of  Ireland  for  political  and  religious 
enfranchisement  should  ])e  rejected  i  "*  Besides  the  Carrolls, 


■i:    li 


Miscellanea."' 


»-i- 


,1      ^ 
'I    i-r-     — 


1 68  CatJiolicity  in  the  Ufittcd  Stales. 

Barrys,  Moylans,  and  O'Rriens,  there  were  liundrcdB,  nay, 
thoiisandb  of  Irish  (.'atliolic  soldiers  in  the  army  of  liberty, 
^\'\\o  foiii^ht  side  hy  side  Avith  AVashini^ton,  from  the  first  bat- 
tles of  the  war  until  the  final  surrender  of  the  British  at  York- 
town.  And  wherever  our  banner  waved — wliether  on  sea 
or  land — it  never  struck  to  a  foe,  it  never  knew  disgrace  or 
shame,  it  never  went  down  before  the  Anglo-Saxon  and  his 
savage  allies,  the  Hessians  and  the  Indians,  while  one  Irish 
heart  could  rally  it,  or  one  Irish  hand  could  be  raised  in  its 
defence  I 

CATUOLTC   FRANCE. 

Can  we  ever  forget  Catholic  France  ?  That  gallant  nation 
"8ni»i)lied  to  the  cause  of  the  Anierican  Kevolution  ten 
thousand  men  and  three  hundred  millions  of  dollars!  All 
the  military  operations  of  the  last  three  years  of  the  war 
depended  as  much  on  these  resources  as  on  Washington's 
army.  Their  burden  to  France  we  can  estimate ;  their  value 
to  America  we  can  conjecture.  In  the  operations  on  lihode 
Island,  Long  Island,  and  the  Delaware,  the  French  fleet 
cooperated  with  the  American  army.  Cornwallis,  once  hem- 
med in  between  the  two  forces,  was  compelled  to  capitulate. 
The  double  rank  of  officers  between  wdiom  he — with  his 
English  aiii^.  Hessians — marched  out  of  Yorkto^vn,  is  a  true 
representation  of  the  last  campaign  of  the  war.  The  Amer- 
ican army  was  particularly  indebted  to  the  French  engineers 
and  artillery.  To  crowai  all,  there  was  the  moral  influence 
of  having  a  first-rate  power  embarke''.  in  an  undecided 
cause,  of  having  a  European  sovereign  of  the  highest  rank 
as  the  ally  of  obscure  colonies — as  yet  unknown,  even  by 
name,  to  the  political  world.'''^ 

Some  of  our  writers  have  the  justice  and  manliness  to  ex- 
hibit this  point  in  its  true  light.  "  With  all  the  greatness  and 
skill  of  Washington,  with  all  the  bravery  of  the  troops,  it  is 
exceedingly  doubtful  if  America  could  have  gained  her  in- 
dependence without  the  powerful  assistance  of  France  both 
by  sea  and  land."f 


"■■■  McGeo. 


t  Scott. 


\t    '   -i 


The  Catholics  and  Ih^  Revolution. 


169 


"  Tlio  sovcM'c  trutli  of  liiKtuiy  conijU'ls  tl»e  btatcment  tluit 
but  for  Frent'li  iiitc'i*|)Osition  the  cause  of  the  American  col- 
onists was  liliclv  to  be  lost."* 

J»ut  hear  the  enthusiastic  testiinon}-  of  tlje  immortal  Wash- 
in<;-ton  himself,  a  personage  little  given  to  praise.  "  In  the 
midst  of  a  war,"  says  the  great  man,  "  the  nature  and  dilH- 
culties  of  which  are  peculiar  and  uncommon,  I  cannot  flatter 
myself  in  any  way  to  recompense  the  sacrifices  France  has 
made.  To  call  her  brave  were  to  pronounce  but  common 
praise.  Wonderful  nation  !  ages  to  come  will  read  with  as- 
tonishment the  history  of  your  brilliant  exploits."f 


CATHOLIC    SPAIN. 

Catholic  Spain  was  one  of  our  first  ai.d  best  friends  iu 
the  long  and  fierce  struggle  for  indc'])eMdence.  She  threw 
open  all  her  ports  as  neutral  to  the  American  marine.  She 
ceased  not  until  the  powers  of  Nortliern  Europe  joined  with 
her  in  [)roelainiing  the  "  Armed  Neutrality  Act,"  to  which 
John  Adams  declared  America  owed  her  independence  as 
much  as  to  any  other  cause.  She  made  a  present  of  one 
million  francs  to  the  struggling  Kepublic ;  sent  three  thou- 
sand barrels  of  gunpowder,  and  blankets  for  ten  regiments; 
threw  open  Havana  to  our  navy,  intimating  that  military 
stores  conld  be  easily  got  from  the  magazine  there  ;  paid  the 

*  CatlioUc  World,''  Vol.  XIII. 

t  In  this  connection,  we  must  not  forget  th(!  valuable  serv- 
ices rendered  by  Vicar-General  Gibault  and  the  French  in- 
habitants of  Indiana  and  the  north-west.  By  his  influence,  in 
1778,  this  excellent  priest  induced  his  Hock  to  declare  in  favor 
of  the  United  States  against  Great  Britain.  In  his  little  church 
he  administered  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  American  Govern- 
ment with  great  solemnity.  Vituunines  was  captured  by  the 
British  in  1779  ;  and  when  Colonel  Clarke  assembled  his  troops 
to  recapture  the  town,  Father  Gibault  made  a  patriotic  address 
to  them,  and  bestowed  his  L'essing  upon  '' the  heroic  little 
band."  Indeed,  his  exertions  are  said  to  have  greatly  facilitated 
our  conquest  of  the  north-west.  "Lives  of  the  Deceased 
Bishops."     Vol.  II.,  p.  o2. 


i' '( 


i 


ii 


!^ 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


£/  ./^.^ 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


■    iiiii 


i  JO 


M 

2.0 


1.4    ill  1.6 


O: 


:^#  ^: 


"*#  ^'^ 


■Pj 


// 


V 


/A 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


'^. 


4, 


^ 


N? 


% 


V 


?l? 


% 


33  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


\\ 


"^i^ 


^ 


o^ 


170  Catholicity  in  the   United  States. 

salary  of  the  American  Minister  at  Madrid;  in  a  word, 
proved  herself  a  true  friend  in  the  hour  of  pressing  need.* 


OTHERS  STILL. 

Catholic  Poland  gave  us  such  distinguished  officers  as 
Pulaski  and  Kosciusko.  The  Catholic  Indians  of  Maine — 
the  famed  Abnaki — ^furnished  some  of  the  truest  and  bravest 
soldiers  of  the  Revolution, 

THE    "  FAINT-PRATBE  "  SCHOOL   OF   WRITERS — CONCLUSION. 

How  comes  it  tliat  so  many  writers  of  our  day  entirely 
ignore  the  foregoing  facts,  honorable  alike  to  Catholicity  and 
its  professors  ?  Why  disgust  us  with  their  assumed  (or  per- 
haps real)  ignoranc  t,  or  occasionally  torture  us  with  their 
faint  praise  i  The  motives  of  such  men  have  only  to  be  men- 
tioned to  be  despised.  They  would  fain  stifle  truth  in  obe- 
dience to  the  dictates  of  bigotry.  To  praise  the  co-religionists 
of  Columbus  might  redound  to  the  glory  of  the  ancient  faith 
itself — a  misf i>rtune  that  must  be  carefully  guarded  against ! 
Hence  their  malicious  silence,  or  their  words  of  pitiable  praise. 
Such  historical  cockroaches  love  darkness,  flourish  in  it.  It 
is  their  element.  They  fear  the  brilliant  rays,  the  strong 
light  of  true  history. 

Freely  were  Catholic  blood,  talent,  and  treasure  con- 
tributed to  build  the  broad  and  deep  foundations  of  this 
Republic.  But  it  is  well  not  to  be  misunderstood.  Catholics 
were  simply  a  part  of  the  great  whole  that  gained  American 
Independence.  It  is  as  such  that  we  now  speak  of  them, 
not  in  any  boasting  spirit,  but  as  a  slight  tribute  to  immor- 
tal worth ;  for  we  should  be  guided  along  the  path  of  history 
by  the  bright  lamp  of  truth. 

The  Catholic  names  of  Carroll,  Barry,  Moylan,  Lafayette, 
De  Grasse,  Rochambeau,  Pulaski,  and  Kosciusko  will  liv^e, 
side  by  side,  with  those  of  "Washington,  Jefferson,  Franklin, 
Adams,  Henry,  and  Hancock,  in  the  immortal  story  of  the 

*  Senator  Sumnor,  cited  by  the  Irish  World. 


The  Catholics  and  the  Revoluticu 


171 


Revolution  and  its  many  hard-fonght  fields.  Together  they 
won  the  battle  of  Freedom,  triumphed  over  the  tyranny  of 
a  crazy  king,  founded  a  glorious  Republic;  and  all  the 
world — save  haughty,  but  humbled  Britain — rejoiced,  and 
welcomed  the  new  star  to  a  place  amid  the  constellation  of 
nations. 


Breathes  there  a  man  with  soul  so  dead, 

Who  never  to  himself  hath  said, 

This  is  my  own,  my  native  land  1 — ScoTT. 

How  sleep  the  brp^ve  who  sink  to  rest 

With  all  their  country's  honors  blest ! 

When  spring,  with  dewy  fingers  cold, 

Returns  to  deck  the  hallowed  mould, 

He  there  shall  find  a  sweeter  sod 

Than  his  tired  feet  have  ever  trod. 

There  Honor  comes  a  pilgrim  gray, 

To  deck  the  mould  that  wraps  their  clay  ; 

And  Freedom  shall  awhile  repair 

To  dwell  a  weeping  hermit  there  ! — Collina. 


CHARLES  CARROLL  OF  CARROLLTON, 

The  Last  of  the  Signers. 
•'  He  Blione  in  his  dnys  as  the  morning  star  in  the  midst  of  a  cloud."— Ecclesiasticcb. 

The  name  of  Carroll  is  one  of  the  most  eminent  in  the  history 
of  our  country.  It  shines  equally  in  the  annals  of  Church  and 
State.  The  wealthiest,  and  in  many  re.spects,  the  ablest  and 
most  remarkable  of  the  Signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Indepen- 
dence, was  the  Catholic  Charles  Carroll  of  CarroUton.  He  was 
born  at  Annapolis,  Maryland,  in  1737.  His  grandfather,  Charles 
Carroll,  was  a  native  of  King's  County,  Ireland,  and  an  accom- 
plished lawyer,  who,  wishing  to  better  his  fortune,  emigrated  to 
America  about  the  year  1680.  Eleven  years  after  his  arrival 
he  became  judge  and  register  of  the  land  office  of  Maryland. 
The  father  of  the  future  signer  was  also  Charles  Carroll;  his 
mother,  Elizabeth  Brooks. 

At  the  date  of  young  Charles'  birth  the  Catholics  were  se- 
verely oppressed  by  those  odious  enactments  known  as  penal 
laws.  They  were  even  forbidden  to  have  schools.  The  Jesuit 
Fathers,  however,  succeeded,  without  attracting  the  attention  of 
the  authorities,  in  quietly  opening  a  grammar  school  at  Bohe- 
mia, on  the  eastern  shore  of  Maryland.  Here  Charles  Carroll 
of  CarroUton  received  the  first  rudiments  of  knowledge. 

When  about  eleven  years  of  age,  he  was  sent,  with  his  first 
cousin,  John  Carroll,  afterwards  Archbishop  of  Baltimore,  to  the 
college  of  the  English  Jesuits  at  St.  Omers,  France,  where  he  pur- 
sued the  study  of  the  classics  for  six  years.  He  then  spent  a 
year  at  the  college  of  the  French  Jesuits,  Rheims,  and  two 
years  at  the  college  of  Louis  le  Grand,  Paris.  At  Bourgcs,  he 
passed  another  year  in  the  study  of  civil  law ;  and  in  1757  pro- 
ceeded to  London  to  the  inner  temple,  and  earnestly  pursued 
the  study  of  common  law  for  about  seven  years.  An  accom- 
plished gentleman,  with  a  cultivated  and  mature  mind, 
Charles  Carroll  returned  to  Maryland  in  1704.  But  in  the  very 
land  of  his  birth  he  found  himself  almost  a  helot  on  account  of 
his  faith. 

Still,  with  his  natural  abilities,  moral  worth,  superior  educa- 
tion, and  large  fortune,  ho  started  on  the  road  of  life  well  pre- 
pared to  fight  its  stem  battles.   Despite  many  obstacles,  he  soon 
took  his  stand  as  a  umn  of  umrk.     In  1768  he  married  Miss  Mary 
(172) 


The  Catholics  and  the  Revolution. 


'^I'S 


Darnell,  a  worthy  and  accomplished  young  lady.  Two  years 
later  wo  find  him  engaged  in  one  of  the  most  noted  political 
question?  of  the.t  day.  Under  the  signature  of  the  '■'■  First  Cit- 
izen,''''^ he  boldly  upheld  the  rights  of  the  people  in  opposition 
to  the  arbitrary  action  of  Gov.  Eden,  of  Maryland.  One  of 
the  ablest  lawyers  in  the  province  became  his  antagonist. 
The  result  was  an  exciting  newspaper  controversy.  Unusual 
learning  and  ability  were  displayed  on  both  sides.  But  Carroll, 
by  his  close  logic,  his  bold  and  fearless  views,  gained  a  triumph- 
ant victory  for  the  popular  cause.  From  all  quarters  he  re- 
ceived congratulations.  His  fellow-citizens  of  Annapolis  turned 
out  in  a  body  to  thank  him.  However,  if  his  opponents  were 
unable  to  meet  his  reasons,  they  could  cheaply  insult  him. 
^^ Papist"  '■^ Romanist,'^  ^^ Jesuit,''''  and  other  equally  refined 
epithets  were  freely  thrown  at  the  advocate  of  the  people's 
rights.  Catholicity  was  yet  in  contempt.  Hence,  neither  the 
position,  wealth,  nor  education  of  Charles  Carroll  could  save 
him  from  the  vocabulary  of  religious  ^naticisra — a  vocabulary 
as  old  as  Luther,  and  as  vile  as  the  lowest  of  his  followers. 
IKThe  happy  result  of  this  controversy  raised  Mr.  Carroll  in  the 
eyes  of  his  countrymen.  He  had  gained  an  enviable  reputation 
as  a  man  of  much  learning,  sound  principles,  liberal  views,  and 
fearless  integrity.  In  1773-4-5  he  performed  an  active  and 
prominent  part  in  the  measures  of  opposition  and  resistance 
on  the  part  of  Maryland  to  the  aggressive  color\ial  policy  of 
Great  Britain  during  those  years.  Catholic  by  conviction  as 
well  as  by  education,  Mr.  Carroll,  in  common  with  the  Catholic 
body  of  the  country,  had  been  taught  to  revere  the  great  prin- 
ciples of  liberty.  They  were  familiar  with  the  fact  that  Cardinal 
Langton  and  the  Catholic  Barons  had  forced  the  tyrant  John 
to  recognize  and  affirm  the  Magna  Charta.  They  had  been 
taught  to  respect  the  act  of  the  Sovereign  Pontiff,  Pope  Zach- 
cry,  in  denouncing  the  tyranny  of  taxation  ruithout  representa- 
tion, centuries  before  the  Declaration  of  Independence  was 
penned.     They  cherished  the  same  great  principle  because  it 

*  The  reason  of  Mr.  Carroll's  assuming  the  nom  de  plume  of  "  First  Citizen  " 
•was  this  :  Among  the  earliest  writers  who  piiblielj'  discussed  the  question  at 
issue  between  the  governor  and  the  people  was  one  who,  taking  the  gover- 
nor's side,  published  a  dialogue  between  two  persons,  styled  the  "First  Cit- 
izen," and  the  "  Seeond  Citizen."  The  Second  Citizen  represented  tlie  gov- 
ernor's side,  and  of  course,  "  First  Citizen "  was  badly  beaten— on  paper. 
But  when  Mr.  Carroll  took  up  the  people's  cause,  and  assumed  the  name  of 
the  vanquislied,  he  soon  turned  the  tide  of  victory.  His  able  opponent  was 
Daniel  Dnlany,  Esq.,  v.  ho  wrotv  under  the  signature  of  AntUore, 


174  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


was  promulgated  in  that  glorious  charter  which  the  Catholic 
Peer,  Lord  Baltimore,  had  prepared  for  the  infant  colony  of 
Maryland.  The  established  recognition  of  the  great  principles 
of  the  American  Revolution  by  the  highest  Catholic  authorities 
for  ages  will  account  for  the  historical  fact,  that  the  Catholic 
body  of  the  country  in  1776,  ardently  and  unanimously  espoused 
the  cause  of  freedom  and  popular  rights.  In  the  day  of  trial. 
Catholicity  proved  the  grandeur  of  its  principles.  It  produced 
no  Tories — no  traitors — no  oppressors  of  their  country  1* 

From  the  very  beginning  Mr.  Carroll  grasped  the  principles 
involved  in  the  contest,  and  advocated  complete  independence. 
We  are  told  that,  as  early  as  1771,  when  conversing,  on  one  oc- 
casion, with  Mr.  Clia.sc,  the  latter  remarked:  "Carroll,  we  have 
the  better  of  our  opponents — we  have  completely  written  them 
down."  "Do  you  think,"  returned  Mr.  Carroll,  "that  writing 
will  settle  the  question  between  us  ?"  "  To  be  sure,"  replied 
the  other.  "V/liat  else  can  we  resort  to?"  "The  bayonet," 
was  the  answer;  "  our  arguments  will  only  raise  the  feelings  of 
the  people  to  that  pitcli,  when  open  war  will  be  looked  upon  as 
the  arbiter  of  dispute."  l|^ 

Mr.  Carroll  took  an  active  part  in  the  repeal  of  the  odious 
laws  against  Catholics,  Those  enactments  still  disgraced  the 
statute-book.  In  1775  he  was  appointed  a  member  of  the 
Maryland  "  Committee  to  prepare  a  declaration  of  riglits  and  a 
form  of  Oovernment  for  this  State."  The  result  was  that  the 
great  principle  of  civil  and  religious  liberty,  established  by 
Lord  Baltimore,  was  again  restored  "in  the  Land  of  the  Sanc- 
tuary. '' 

By  the  Continental  Congress  he  was  sent  with  Franklin  and 
Chase,  to  win  over  Canada  to  the  cause.  As  is  well  known, 
Rev.  Father  Carroll  accompanied  the  party.  If  the  embassy 
failed  it  was  from  no  want  of  zeal  or  ability  in  the  envoys.  Mr. 
Carroll  left  behind  him  a  valuable  journal  of  this  voyage. 

Having  returned  home,  he  used  the  whole  weight  of  his  influ- 
ence to  induce  Maryland  to  join  the  other  colonies  in  declaring 
for  complete  independence.  He  was  entirely  successful.  In 
1776  he  had  the  honor  of  being  chosen  to  represent  his  native 
State  in  the  Continental  Congress.  As  he  wrote  Charles  Carroll 
in  a  clear,  bold  hand  on  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  a 
colleague  remarked,  "There  go  millions."  "No,"  replied 
another,  "there  are  several  Charles  Carrolls,  and  he  cannot  be 
identified."     Mr.  Carroll  hearing  this,  immediately  added  to  his 


*  Dr.  R.  H.  Clarke  :  "  Memoir  of  ClinrlPB  Carroll  of  Carrolltou." 


u- 


7 he  CatJiolics  and  the  Revolution, 


175 


signature  "0/  Cnrrollton,'*''  the  name  of  the  estate  on  which  he 
resided,  remarking  as  he  did  so:  ^^  They  cannot  mistake  me 
now  !^^ 

He  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Board  of  War.  He  also  con- 
tinued an  active  and  influential  member  of  the  Continental 
Congress  till  1778,  when  the  treaty  with  France  quieted  all  his 
fears  for  the  success  of  American  Independence;  and  feeling 
that  his  duty  as  a  state  senator  summoned  him  to  Annapolis,  ho 
resigned  his  seat  in  Congress,  nnd  resumed  that  in  the  Mary- 
land senate.  In  1788,  Mr.  Carroll  was  elected  United  States 
Senator  from  Maryland,  under  the  new  Federal  Constitution. 
1. 0  was  again  elected  to  the  Maryland  Senate  in  1791,  remaining 
a  member  till  1801.  In  that  year,  upon  tl^e  defeat  of  the  Federal 
party,  to  which  ho  belonged,  Mr.  Carroll  retired  into  private  Ufe, 
being  then  in  his  sixty-third  year. 

Speaking  of  hi«  public  career,  his  biographer  says:  "During 
thirty  years  passed  in  public  life,  embracing  the  most  eventful 
period  of  the  history  of  the  United  States,  Mr.  Carroll,  as  a  poli- 
tician, was  quick  to  decide  and  prompt  to  execute.  His  measures 
were  open  and  energetic,  He  was  more  inclined  to  exceed  than 
fall  below  the  end  which  he  proposed.  As  a  speaker  he  was 
concise  and  animated;  the  advantages  of  travel  and  society 
made  him  graceful;  bookfc,  habits  of  study,  and  acute  obser- 
vation, made  him  impress i  v*  and  instructive.  As  a  writer  he 
was  remarkably  dignified;  his  arrangement  Avas regular;  his  style 
was  full  without  being  diffuse,  and  though  highly  argumen- 
tative, was  prevented  from  being  dull  by  the  vein  of  polite  learn- 
ing, which  was  visible  throughout."* 

But  it  was  as  a  practical  and  uncompromising  Catholic  that 
we  would  speak  of  this  venerable  man.  At  his  family  residence 
he  had  an  elegant  chapel  erected.  Divine  service  was  held 
regularly,  and  he  was  always  one  of  the  most  devout  wor- 
shippers. He  possessed  that  charming  faith  and  simplicity  of 
the  little  child,  so  extolled  by  our  Blessed  Lord.  Eye-witnesses 
have  described  it  as  a  truly  touching  sight,  to  see  the  aged  form 
of  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton  kneeling  and  bent  in  prayer 
before  the  altar  in  the  chapel  at  Doughoregan  Manor;  and  to 
behold  the  illustrious  patriot  and  statesman,  at  the  advanced 
age  of  eighty  and  upwards,  serving  the  priest  at  the  altar 
during  the  Holy  Mass.  In  1829,  the  assembled  Bishops  of  the 
First  Council  of  Baltimore  went  to  pay  their  respects  to  the 


*  Latrobe'B  Biography  of  Charlps  Carroll,  in  Sanderson's  FAvea  of  the  Signeri. 


I 


i'ii 


S.n' 


m 


176        Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

grand  old  man.  He  received  them  with  graceful  dignity,  and 
was  deeply  aflfected  at  the  compliment  paid  him. 

While  the  wliole  nation  was  celebrating  the  fiftieth  anni- 
versary of  American  Independence,  on  the  4th  of  July,  1826, 
"the  year  of  Jubilee,"  there  remained  but  three  surviving 
signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence — Thomas  Jefferson, 
John  Adams,  and  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton.  These  three 
names  were  mingled  with  the  songs  of  national  joy,  and  saluted 
with  peals  of  artillery.  But  two  of  the  illustrious  trio  saw  not 
another  sun.  Adams  and  Jefferson  passed  from  the  scenes  of 
earth  that  same  day.  Charles  Carroll  alone  remained — sole 
survivor  of  the  fifty-six  patriots  ol  1776  1 

The  undivided  homage  of  the  United  States  was  now  reserved 
for  the  last  of  that  glorious  band.  In  the  words  of  Lossing, 
"the  good  and  the  great  made  pilgrimages  to  his  dwelling,  to 
behold  with  their  own  eyes  the  venerable  political  patriarch  of 
America;  and  from  the  rich  storehouse  of  his  intellect  he  freely 
contributed  to  the  deficiencies  of  others."  Six  years  more  rolled 
by,  and  the  great  and  good  Cliarles  Carroll  of  Carrollton  went 
to  receive  the  reward  of  the  faithful  servant.  "Death  softly 
touched  him  and  he  passed  away,"  on  the  14th  of  November, 
1832. 

In  his  last  days  he  uttered  these  remarkable  words :  "I  have 
lived  to  my  ninety-sixth  year;  I  have  enjoyed  continued  health; 
I  have  been  blessed  with  great  wealth,  prosperity,  and  most  of 
the  good  things  which  the  world  can  bestow;  public  appro- 
bation, esteem,  applause — but  what  I  now  look  back  on  with 
the  greatest  satisfaction  to  myself,  is  that  /  haxie  practiced  the 
duties  of  my  religion.''^ 

In  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton  all  true  Americans  recognize 
one  of  the  most  patriotic,  learned,  and  very  greatest  men  of  the 
Kevolution.  His  fearless  integrity  and  political  wisdom  were 
unsurpassed.  He  always  carried  our  holy  faith  as  a  sacred 
(shield  about  him.  In  the  "Last  of  the  Signers"  we  see  the 
fruits  of  Catholic  Ufo  and  Catholic  education — a  man  without 
fear  and  without  reproach.* 

*  Some  time  before  liia  (loath,  the  venerable  patriot  made  a  liberal  doi^Htion 
towards  erecting  a  prepnratorj'  seminary  in  wliich  young  men  miglit  be 
trained  fertile  sacred  office  of  the  priesthood.  Tliis  institution,  now  known 
as  St.  Charlei^'  College,  was  at  his  own  special  request  chartered  by  the  Mary- 
land Legislature,  in  1830.  It  has  been  the  early  Alma  Mater  of  Iiundreds  of 
our  clergy.  What  a  pity  so  few  Catholics— none  it  miglit  be  said— imitate  the 
glorious  Carroll  in  this  respect ! 

In  this  centennial  year,  his  worthy  grandson,  John  Lee  Carroll,  is  Governor 
of  Maryland. 


TWO  CATHOLIC  HEROES. 

"  The  TBllant  never  taste  of  death  but  once."— Shakebpiaue. 

(1.)   COUNT  CASIMIU  PULASKI. 

• 

Count  Casimir  Pulaski  was  ono  of  the  bravest  and  most  skill- 
ful generals  of  the  Revolution.  The  son  of  a  patriotic  nobleman, 
he  was  born  in  Poland,  in  1747.  After  receiving  an  excellent 
education,  Pulaski  acquired  great  military  experience  in  the  long 
and  unfortunate  war  for  the  liberation  of  his  country,  lli.s  deeds 
of  daring,  his  bold  and  rapid  movements  again.st  the  overwholm- 
ing  forces  of  Russia,  have  been  the  themes  of  many  an  able  pen. 
But  his  unhappy  country  was  finally  torn  in  pieces.  Austria, 
Russia,  and  Prussia  joined  together,  and  prostrate  Poland  was 
divided  amongst  them.    Resistance  now  became  hopeless. 

Count  Pulaski,  who  had  lost  his  brave  father  and  brothers  in 
the  war,  made  his  way  to  Turkey,  and  afterwards  went  to  France, 
where  he  oflfered  his  services  in  the  American  cause  to  Dr.  Fri.  ik- 
lin.  With  high  recommendations  to  Washington,  he  arrived  at 
Philadelphia  in  the  summer  of  1777.  At  first,  he  served  in  the 
army  as  a  volunteer,  but  four  days  after  the  battle  of  Brandy- 
wine,  in  which  he  greatly  distinguished  himself,  he  was  appointed 
by  Congress  commander  of  the  cavalry,  with  the  rank  of  Briga- 
dier-General. After  five  months  he  resigned  his  command,  and 
entered  the  main  army  at  Valley  Forgo  in  March,  1778.  Hfjro, 
with  the  consent  of  Congress,  he  organized  an  independent  corps 
of  cavalry  and  light  infantry.  This  corps  was  known  as  Ihilaski's 
Legion.  At  the  head  of  it,  in  1779,  ho  marched  to  South  Caro- 
lina, reached  Charleston  in  May,  and  vigorously  opposed  the 
project  of  surrendering  the  place  to  tlio  British  army,  then  before 
the  city.  With  his  Legion  he  made  a  bold  attack  on  the  Eng- 
lish advance  guard,  but  was  repulsed  with  considerable  loss,  he 
himself  escaping  with  difficulty  to  the  American  lines.  On  the 
arrival  of  the  French  fleet  in  October  of  the  same  year,  it  was 
determined  to  carry  the  town  by  assault.  Pulaski  was  placed  in 
command  of  the  French  and  American  cavalry,  at  the  head  of 
which  he  performed  prodigies  of  valor.  But  in  the  heat  of  the 
engagement,  the  noble  Pole  received  a  mortal  wound,  of  which 
he  died,  after  lingering  two  days.  His  loss  was  deplored  by  the 
whole  army. 

Count  Pulaski,  the  chivalrous  soldier  and  hero  of  liberty,  was 
also  a  true  son  of  the  Church.  It  is  related  that  he  was  in  the 
habit  of  saying  his  beads  every  day.  The  memory  of  his  deeds, 
his  dauntless  courage,  and  lofty  character  should  be  cherished 
by  every  American.  Congress  voted  him  a  monument,  but  it 
12  .177) 


m 


Hi!' 


I  78  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

■was  never  erected.  The  oitlzens  of  Georgia,  however,  raiNcd  one 
to  hifi  honor  in  Savannah.  His  name  is  now  given  to  aenen  coun- 
ties in  the  United  States. 


(2.)   QKNKRAL  STEPHEN  MOYLAN. 

Stephen  Moylan  was  born  about  the  middle  of  the  last'cen- 
tury,  in  Coric,  Ireland.  He  was  brother  of  the  Right  Rev.  Dr. 
Moylan,  Catholic  Bishop  of  his  native  city.  Coming  to  America, 
ho  throw  himself,  heart  and  soul,  into  the  struggle  for  indepen- 
dence. His  bravery  and  excellent  judgment  soon  secured  the 
confidence  of  Washington,  by  whom  he  was  made  aide-de-camp 
and  commissary-genoral.  He  was  Anally  transferred  to  the 
command  of  a  division  of  cavalry  ;  and  in  almost  every  severe 
action  of  the  war  we  meet  with  the  fearless  Moylan's  Dragoons. 

"  Moylan,  the  Murat  of  the  Revolutionary  army,"  says  a  recent 
writer,*  "  served  in  every  battle  in  which  Washington  was  en- 
gaged from  Boston  to  Virginia.  He  was  Colonel  of  a  troop  of 
horse  in  the  Irish  Brigade,  or  'Pennsylvania  Liners,'  and  on 
many  an  occasion  by  a  dashing  and  desperate  charge  plucked 
victory  from  the  flag  of  the  Briton,  and  hurled  upon  his  ranks 
disaster  and  defeat.  He  was  never  captured,  though  leader  of  a 
hundred  raids  and  forays,  and  participator  in  a  score  of  pitched 
battles.  He  lived  to  see  the  flag  of  his  adopted  country  wave  in 
triumph  over  the  enemies  of  his  race." 

At  the  close  of  the  war  he  ranked  a  full  Brigadier-General,  and 
in  subsequent  years  of  his  life  he  was  always  called  General  Moy- 
lan. t  One  of  the  founders  of  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati,  he 
was  also  the  first  and  last  President  of  the  Friendly  Sons  of  St. 
Patrick,  Philadelphia.  Besides  the  Bishop  of  Cork,  General 
Moylan  had  three  other  brothers,  all  of  whom  took  an  active 
part  in  establishing  the  independence  of  this  Republic.  The 
General  died  in  Philadelphia,  on  the  11th  of  April,  1811,  and 
was  interred  in  the  burial-ground  of  St.  Mary's  church. 

As  a  man,  a  patriot,  a  soldier,  and  a  Catholic,  General  Moy- 
lan was  equally  worthy  of  our  admiration.  To  Poland  and  to 
Ireland  the  American  Revolution  was  indebted  for  its  two  most 
brilliant  cavalry  commanders.  The  memories  of  the  gallant 
Pulaski  and  the  fearless  Moylan  will  be  kept  green  as  long  as  the 
thrilling  story  of  the  Revolution  will  form  a  chapter  in  the 
world's  history. 

"  In  the  land  they  loved  they  have  sunk  to  rest, 
And  their  fame  burns  bright  in  each  freeman's  breast." 


*  William  Collins. 

+  Newspapers  generally,  though  erroneoush",  etyle  him 


Crtl.  Moylan." 


CHAPTER  II. 

RELIGIOUS   FBEEDOM  —  ITS    BISE    AND    PROaBESS   IN    THE 

UNITED   8TATE8. 

"Truth  cnished  to  oartta  nhall  rise  as;ain."— Brtant. 

"  No.    Freedom  has  a  thotieand  charran  to  show 
That  Blaveg  huwo'cr  contented  never  know."— Cowpbr. 

GREAT  CHANGES  ARK  THE  WORK  OF  TIME— THR  DAWN  OP  FREEDOM- 
TUB  FIRST  TOCSIN  NOTE  OF  RKLIOIOUS  MRERTY— THE  FIRST  AMEND 
MENT  TO  THE  CONSTITUTION  DUE  TO  CATHOLICS— BISHOP  CARROLL'S 
NARRATIVE  —  UNEXTINGUISHED  INTOLERANCE  —  VARIOUS  STATES 
WHERE  CATHOLICS  WERE  LONG  EXCLUDED  FROM  OFFICE — NEW 
HAMPSHIRE— CATHOLICITY  THE  MOTHER  OF  FREEDOM — RELIGIGUB 
BIGOTRY  IN  AMERICA  DUE  TO  THE  PERSECUTING  POWER  OF  ENG- 
LAND. 

Did  the  Catholics  of  this  Republic  enjoy  complete  civil 
and  religious  freedom  from  the  period  the  colonies  threw 
oflE  the  British  yoke  ?  This  is  an  important  question.  Its 
answer  will  be  as  clear  and  brief  as  the  nature  of  the  subject 
will  allow. 

We  have  seen  that  under  English  sway,  intolercmce  was 
enforced  hy  law.  To  be  a  Catholic  was  to  be  a  criminal. 
The  transition  from  this  intolerance  to  entire  religious  free- 
dom was  far  from  being  instantaneous.  To  those  who  have 
studied  the  nature  of  man  and  the  history  of  the  world,  this 
fact  will  be  no  surprise.  In  the  very  constitution  of  things 
great  changes  are  the  result  of  time,  aided  by  circum- 
stances. Nor  was  the  liberty  of  the  Catholic  Church  in 
America  an  exception.  It  was  brought  about  by  the  exi- 
gencies of  the  period,  and  by  peculiar  circumstances  growing 
out  of  the  Revolution.  In  these  events  we  can  trace  the 
hand  of  the  great  God,  who  orders  all  things  for  the  salva- 
tion of  the  human  race,  and  for  His  own  greater  glory. 

(179) 


i8o         Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 


THE   FIK8T   SOUND   OF    THE   TOCSIN    OF    FRKEDOM. 

The  following  appeal  was  made  by  tlie  Convention  of 
1774  :  "  As  an  opposition  to  the  settled  pl:;n  of  the  Britisli 
Administration  to  enslave  America  will  be  strengthened  by 
a  union  of  all  ranks  of  men  within  this  province,  we  do  most 
earnestly  recommend  that  all  former  differences  al>out 
religion  or  politics,  and  all  private  animosities  and  quarrels 
of  every  kind,  from  henceforth  cease,  and  be  forever  buried 
in  oblivion ;  and  we  entreat  and  conjure  every  man  by  his 
duty  to  God,  his  country,  and  his  posterity,  cordially  to 
imite  in  defence  of  our  common  rights  and  liberties."  This 
was  the  first  tocsin  note  of  general  and  religious  conciliation, 
and  it  was  sounded  for  urgent  political  reasons.  It  was 
evident,  however,  that  the  spirit  of  liberality  was  on  the 
increase.  Wise  men  began  to  dislike  bigotry,  as  they  did 
every  other  form  of  English  tyranny. 

Tlie  emancipation  of  the  Catholics  of  Maryland,  in  1776, 
has  already  been  noticed.  The  other  twelve  original  States, 
one  after  another,  granted  the  Catholics  liberty  of  conaoience, 
the  right  to  build  churches  and  worship  as  they  pleased ; 
but  many  of  them  long  refused  the  followers  of  the  true 
faith  civil  and  political  rights.*  The  drafting  of  the  Fed- 
eral Constitution  occurred  twelve  years  after  the  signing  of 
the  Declaration  of  Independence.  In  the  third  section  of 
Article  VI.  of  the  former  document  we  find  the  following : 
"  iVb  religious  test  shall  ever  he  required  as  a  qualification 


*  Wo  can  get  a  glimpse  at  the  spirit  of  those  early  times  by  a 
few  facts  about  the  New  Yorls  State  Convention,  and  the  atti- 
tude of  some  of  its  members  towards  Catholics.  This  convention 
met  at  Kingston  in  the  spring  of  1777,  to  fonn  a  State  govern- 
ment. When  the  section  on  religious  toleration  was  brought 
up,  it  read  thus :  * '  The  free  toleration  of  religious  profession  and 
worship  shall  forever  hereafter  be  allowed  to  all  mankind.^'' 

After  offering  an  amendment  which  was  lost,  Mr.  Jay  moved 
another,  the  first  part  of  which  ran  thus : 

"  Except  the  professors  of  the  religion  of  the  Clmrch  of  Rome, 
who  ought  not  to  hold  lands  in  or  be  admitted  to  a  participation 


Rise  and  Progress  of  Religious  Freedom,  i8i 


of 
of 


od 


)n 


for  anyone  or  piihlic  truttt  under  the  United  St-atef<y  All 
things  considered,  this  was  an  immense  advance  towards 
complete  religious  freedom. 

Among  the  delegates  who  framed  and  signe.'  this  Con- 
stitution in  1787,  were  two  Catholics — Daniel  C^arroll  of 
Maryland,  and  Thomas  Fitzsimmons  of  Pennsylvania. 

The  constitution  of  a  country  is  the  fundamental  law  with 
which  all  subsequent  enactments  must  harmonize.  Such 
being  the  case,  it  was  not  singular  that  Catholics  should 
take  a  profound  interest  in  the  famous  in.^trument  which 
was  to  form  the  foundation  of  American  legislat.od.  Dravely 
had  they  fought  for  liberty.  None  loved  it  more  dearly  ; 
none  more  earnestly  desired  its  preservatioi'. 

WHAT   TTIE  CATnoLICS   WANTED — HOW   THEY  G<   I    IT. 

But,  a  constitutional  guarantee  for  religions  freedom, 
clear  and  explicit  in  its  terms,  was  yet  wanted.  To  obtain 
the  insertion  of  such  a  highly  important  clause  now  became 
the  eager  wish  of  the  Catholics.  And  for  this  puqjose  some 
of  the  leading  members  of  their  body,  among  whom  was  Rev. 
Dr.  Carroll,  drew  up  a  memorial  to  Congress,  representing 
the  necessity  of  adopting  some  constitutional  provision  for 
the  protection  and  maintenance  of  civil  and  religious  free- 
dom, the  purchase  of  which  had  cost  so  much  blood  and 
treasure  among  all  classes  of  citizens.  Through  the  influ- 
ence of  General  Washington  this  memorial  was  favoi'ably 
received,  and  it  resulted  in  the  enactment  of  the  first  article 
of  the  Amendments  to  the  Constitution,  which  declares  that 

of  the  civil  rights  enjoyed  by  the  members  of  this  State,  until 
I  uch  time  as  the  said  professors  shall  appear  in  the  Supreme 
Court  of  this  State,  and  there  most  solemnly  swear  that  they 
verily  believe  hi  their  consciences  that  no  pope,  priest,  or 
foreign  outhority  on  earth  hath  power  to  absolve  the  subjects 
of  this  State  from  their  allegiance  to  the  same," 

Long  debates  arose  and  the  motion  was  lost  by  19  to  10. 

Mr.  Jay  was  a  narrow-minded  man,  whose  wide  imagination 
was  perpetually  conjuring  up  the  dread  shadows  of  "priests 
and  popes  ! " 


1 82  Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 

"  Congress  shall  make  no  Imo  respecting  an  establishment  of 
religion  f  or  prohihitinr  the  free  exercise  thereof P* 

As  this  amendment  was  adopted  by  a  Congress  of  all  the 
States,  it  was  a  solemn  recognition  of  the  principle  which 
sliould  in  future  govern  their  respective  legislativ  e  acts,  and 
since  that  period'  it  has  been  happily  incorporated  into  their 
fundamental  law.  The  importance  of  this  constitutional 
enactment,  which  was  due  chieliy  to  the  far-reaching  wisdom 
and  enlightened  patriotism  of  some  among  the  more  dis- 
tinguished Catholicsf  of  the  time,  cannot  be  overestimated. 
It  was  the  most  effectual  barrier  that  could  be  raised  against 
the  revival  of  the  persecuting  spirit  which  had  disgraced 
nearly  all  the  colonies,  and  which  would  most  probably  have 
again  lifted  its  hydra  head  if  the  States  had  not  in  solemn 
convention  repudiated  it  as  incompatible  with  the  essential 
character  of  the  American  Government.  An  open  field 
and  a  fair  fight  with  error — this  was  all  that  Catholicity 
required  to  develop  its  power  and  to  march  on  to  victory  !:|: 


eq 
fef 


DR.   CARROLL'S   EXPLANATION. 

The  learned  Bishop  Carroll,  writing,  in  1 790,  of  the  con- 
dition of  the  Catholics  in  the  United  States,  gives  the  follow- 
ing interesting  account  of  the  origin  and  progress  of  religious 
toleration : 

"Having  renounced  subjecticu  to  England,"  says  the 
venerable  prelate,  "  the  American  States  found  it  necessary 
to  form  new  constitutions  for  their  future  government,  and 
happily  a  free  toleration  of  religion  was  made  a  funda- 
mental point  in  all  these  new  constitutions ;  and  in  many  of 
them,  not  only  a  toleration  was  decreed,  but  also  a  perfect 


*  This  amendment  was  ratified  in  1791. 

t  In  a  letter,  Bishop  Fenwick  mentions  Rev.  Dr,  Carroll, 
Charles  Carroll  of  Carollton,  rieorge  Meade  (father  of  the  late 
General  Meade  of  the  United  States  Army),  Thomas  Fitzsim- 
mons,  and  Dominic  Lynch  as  the  framers  of  this  memorial. — 
Rkv.  Dii.  WmTE, 

\  Rev.  Dr.  White. 


Rise  and  Progress  of  Religious  Freedom.    1 83 

equality  of  civil  rights  for  persons  of  every  Christian  pro- 
fession. In  some,  indeed,  the  yet  unextinguished  spirit  of 
prejudice  and  intolerance  excluded  Catholics  from  this 
equality. 

"  Many  reasons  concun*ed  to  produce  this  happy  and  just 
article  in  the  new  constitutions  :  (1)  Some  of  the  leading 
characters  in  the  direction  of  American  councils  were,  by 
principle,  averse  to  all  religious  oppression ;  and  having 
been  much  acquainted  with  the  manners  and  doctrines  of 
Roman  Catholios,  represented  strongly  the  injustice  of 
excluding  them  from  any  civil  right.  (2)  Catholics  con- 
curred as  generally,  and  with  equal  zeal,  in  repelling  that 
oppression  which  first  produced  the  hostilities  with  Great 
Britain  ;  and  it  would  have  been  impolitic,  as  well  as  unjust, 
to  deprive  them  of  a  common  share  of  advantages  purchased 
with  common  danger  and  by  united  exertions.  (3)  The 
assistance,  or  at  least  the  neutrality,  of  Canada  was  deemed 
necessary  to  the  success  of  the  United  States  ;  and  to  give 
equal  rights  to  Eoman  Catholics  might  tend  to  dispose  the 
Canadians  favorably  to  the  American  cause.  Lastly,  France 
began  to  show  a  disposition  to  befriend  the  United  States, 
and  it  was  conceived  to  be  very  impolitic  to  disgust  that 
powerful  kingdom  by  unjust  severities  again  the  religion 
which  it  professed." 


m 


miOLERANCE  IN   SOME   STATES. 

Indeed,  the  "unextinguished  spirit  of  intolerance"  lived 
in  several  of  the  original  States  long  after  Bisliop  Carroll 
penned  the  foregoing  paragraphs.  Catholics  had  still  to 
struggle  against  old  enactments  and  old  prejudices.  Thus, 
it  is  only  since  180C  that  Catholics,  to  hold  office  in  the 
State  of  New  York,  have  been  dispensed  with  a  solemn 
abjuration  of  all  o])cdience  to  ecclesiastical  power.  It  was 
the  same  in  Massacliusetty  till  1821.  Entire  liberty  of  con- 
science was  not  granted  in  Virginia  until  1830.  Down  to 
January  1,  1836,  to  be  an  elector  and  eligible  in  the  State 
of  North  Carolina  it  was  necessary  to  swear  to  a  belief  in 


JP 


184         Catholicity  in- the  United  States. 


the  truth  of  the  Protestant  religion.  In  New  Jersey,  a 
clause  excluding  Catholics  from  office  was  abolished  only  in 
1844.  And  even  to-day,  one  hundred  years  after  the  sign- 
ing of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  the  State  of  New 
Hampshire  still  shamefully  retains  on  its  Statute-Book  a 
clause  excluding  Cathoiics  from  office  I  "*  • 

Thus  we  learn  that  though  the  first  amendment  to  the 
Constitution  declares  that  "  Congress  shall  make  no  law  re- 
specting an  establishment  of  religion,  or  prohibiting  the  free 
exercise  thereof,"  yet  that  several  State  governments  con- 
tinued to  legalize  intolerance,  and  that  it  was  only  after  long 
and  persistent  efforts  that  Catholics  succeeded  in  obtaniing 
their  full  rights  as  citizens  of  this  Republic.f 

In  all  the  States  that  were  once  French,  Spanish,  or  Mexi- 
can territoiy,  and  in  which  the  Catholics  were  the  original 
proprietors  of  the  soil,  as  Louisiana,  Florida,  Texas,  Indiana, 


M 
M 

of 


♦  Since  writing  the  above,  I  have  received,  in  answer  to  a  note 
of  inquiry,  the  following  from  Very  Rev.  John  E.  Barry,  V.G., 
Concord,  N.  H. : 

"The  clause  in  the  Constitution  of  New  Hampshire  excluding 
Catholics  from  holding  office  still  exists,  but  it  may  be  con- 
sidered a  'dead  letter.'  At  the  late  election,  held  the  14th  of 
the  present  month,  a  vote  was  taken  as  to  whether  the  Consti- 
tution should  be  amended  at  the  sitting  oi  the  next  Legis- 
latui'e.  A  unanimous  vote  was  given  favoring  an  amendment. 
This,  undouhtedhj^  will  remove  the  clause  from  the  Constitution. 
An  effort  was  made  in  the  last  Legislature  to  have  it  done,  but  it 
was  laid  over  for  the  next  session." — Letter  of  March  30, 1876. 

Why  did  New  Ilauipshiro  allow  the  centennial  year  to 
come  upon  her  with  this  disgraceful  clause  on  her  statute- 
book? 

t  "  Why,''  some  may  avsk,  "  did  not  the  first  amendment  to  the 
Constitution  oblige  the  various  States  to  grant  the  &ix.n\Q  rights — 
civil,  political,  and  religious— to  all.  Catholics  as  well  as  Protest- 
ants ?"  It  was  generally  understood  that  liberty  of  conscience, 
the  right  to  worship  as  you  please,  was  granted  in  all  the  States  ; 
but  people  can  possess  liberty  of  worship,  and  yet  be  deprived 
of  civil  and  political  rights.  This  was  the  position  of  the  Catho- 
lics in  many  places.     And  ""it  is  well  settled,"  writes  Flanders 


Rise  and  Progress  of  Religious  Freedom.    185 


Mississippi,  Illinois,  Alabama,  Maine,  Missouri,  Arkansas, 
Michigan,  Iowa,  Wisconsin,  and  California,  the  free  exercise 
of  the  Catholic  religion  is  guaranteed  by  solemn  treaties. 

Such  is  a  brief  and  truthful  sketch  of  the  rise  and  progress 
of  religious  freedom  in  our  favored  country — "  the  land  of 
the  free  and  the  home  of  the  brave."  For  their  most  sacred 
rights,  Catholics  have  had  to  struggle  manfully  against 
bigoted  ignorance,  blind  prejudice,  secret  societies,  and  open 
persecution.  Yet,  why  should  it  be  so  ?  Was  it  not  Catho- 
lics who  gave  the  world  such  monuments  of  freedom  as  the 
Magna  Charta,  trial  by  jury,  no  taxation  without  representa- 
tion, habeas  corpus,  stationary  courts,  and  wise  municipal 
laws  and  polity  I  Did  they  not  rescue  Europe  from  barbar- 
ism, and  re-establish  social  order?  Was  it  not  Catholics 
who  built  up  the  free  cities  of  the  old  world,  and  who 
founded  such  republics  as  Switzerland,  Andorra,  Genoa, 

('  Exposition  of  tlie  Constitution  of  the  United  States,'  p.  236), 
*'  that  the  first  twelve  amendments  to  the  Constitution  have  no 
application  to  the  legislation  of  the  States.  They  are  exclusively 
limitations  of  the  power  of  the  General  Government,  and  were 
intended  to  prevent  interference  with  the  rights  of  the  States 
and  of  their  citizens.  The  subject  of  religion  is  left  exclusively 
to  the  State  governments." 

"  The  oppression  of  individuals,"  writes  Bozman,  (  "  History 
of  Maryland,"  vol.  i,  p.  291)  "in  the  enjoyments  of  their  religi- 
ous as  well  as  civil  rights  is  most  generally  to  be  apprehended 
from  the  State  governments." 

The  excluding  clauses  in  the  New  Hampshire  constitution  are 
in  substance  as  follows  : 

Art.  14.  Every  member  of  the  Hou^  1  of  Rupresentatives  shall 
bo  of  the  Protestant  religion. 

Sec.  29.  No  person  shall  be  capable  of  being  elected  a  Senator 
who  is  not  of  the  Protestant  religion. 

Sec.  42.  No  person  shall  be  eligible  to  the  office  of  Governor 
unless  he  bo  of  the  Protestant  religion. 

It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  Legislature  of  New  Hampshire,  which 
meets  in  June  (1876)  will  forever  wipe  out  these  bigoted  and 
shameful  clauses. 

New  Hampshire  is  now  the  0)i7y  State  in  the  Union  in  which 
Catholics  do  not  possess  all  rights— civil,  political,  and  religious. 


if 


I 


1 86  Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 

Venice,  Florence,  Pisa,  Sienna,  and  San  Marino  ?  Was  it 
not  Catholics  who  discovered  America,  and  who  first  reared 
the  broad  banner  of  universal  freedom  on  this  virgin  conti- 
nent ?  Can  any  one  dispute  these  facts — facts  that  challenge 
contradiction — that  command  the  attention  of  every  liberal, 
truth-loving  mind  ?  Yet,  why  were  Catholics  persecuted  ? 
Was  it  because  they  persecuted  others  ?  No,  no !  We  would 
gladly  learn  the  time  and  place  in  which  the  Catholics  of  the 
United  States  ever  disturbed  those  who  differed  from  them 
in  religious  belief.  Their  liberality  will  compel  the  respect 
of  all  but  hopeless  prejudice  and  invincible  ignorance.  But 
again,  it  may  be  asked,  why  were  they  persecuted  ?  God 
alone  knows.  To  suffer,  to  be  persecuted  is  the  blessed  legacy 
that  an  all-wise  Savior  left  to  His  followers.  Still,  hu- 
manly speaking,  and  guided  by  the  light  of  history,  we 
must  point  to  England  as  the  originator  of  persecution  in  the 
New  World.  The  British  Government  raised  the  war  on 
Catholics  and  their  faith  to  a  system  of  infernal  jurispru- 
dence. In  her  American  colonies,  England  sowed  the  seeds 
of  black  intolerance  and  fanaticism.  When  the  tyrannical 
sower  was  banished,  the  unfortunate  tares  were  left  behind. 

*'  The  evil  that  men  do,  lives  after  them." 

We  have  glanced  at  the  growth  and  decline  of  bigotry.  We 
can  easily  understand  that  men  do  not  gather  figs  of  thistles. 
The  bad  crop  is  not  yet  rooted  out.  But,  in  the  main,  truth 
has  triumphed.  God,  in  His  inscrutable  designs,  has  shown 
in  this  Republic  that  in  the  battle  between  truth  and  error, 
between  freedom  and  despotism,  that  right  will  prevail — 
that  truth  alone  makes  men  free. 


"  Truth  crushed  to  earth  shall  rise  again, 
The  eternal  years  of  God  are  hers  ; 
But  Error,  wounded,  writhes  with  pain, 
And  dies  among  his  worshippers." 


COMMODORE  JOHN  BARRY,* 

The  Father  of  the  American  Navy. 

"  Ho  made  a  valiant  assault  against  the  nation  of  bis  enemies.*'— Ecolkh. 

Olio  of  the  bravest  and  truest  heroes  of  the  Revolution  was 
John  Barry,  "the  father  and  founder  of  the  American  Navy." 
Ae  was  born  in  1745,  in  the  county  Wexford,  t  Ireland.  His  father 
was  a  well-to-do  farmer.  The  purest  principles  of  the  Catholic 
faith  were  deeply  impressed  upon  the  mind  and  heart  of  the 
youthful  Barry,  and  brightly  they  shone  forth  throughout  his 
whole  life.  His  father's  house  was  so  near  the  beach  that  "  he 
had  but  to  step  out  of  his  own  door,  to  stand  beside  the  sea." 
As  his  eye  daily  svvej)t  the  majestic  Atlantic,  the  mind  of  the 
ardent  boy  expanded,  and  he  conceived  a  great  fondness  for 
the  ocean.  His  father,  noticing  the  direction  of  his  inclinations, 
placed  him  on  board  of  a  merchantman  ;  and,  at  about  fourteen 
years  of  age,  John  Barry  began  to  sail  regularly  between  Phila- 
delphia and  the  British  ports.  By  self-culturo  and  fidelity  to 
duty  he  rose  rapidly  in  his  chosen  profession.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-five  he  was  captain  of  the  Black  Prince,  one  of  the  best 
packet  vessels  of  that  day.  The  owner  of  this  ship  was  Mr. 
Meredith,  of  Philadelphia,  at  whose  house  Washington  was  an 
occasional  visitor.  Here  he  first  met  the  young  sailor,  "and 
marked  the  future  Commodore." 

Captain  Barry  was  already  an  American.  When  the  Revolu- 
tionary War  began,  ho  espoused  the  cause  of  the  oppressed  col- 
onies with  great  enthusiasm,  and  embarjied  his  all  in  the  strug- 
gles of  his  adopted  country.  He  gave  up,  to  use  his  own  language, 
"the  finest  ship  and  the  first  employ  in  America,  and  entered 
into  the  service  of  his  country. " 

Congress,  towards  the  close  of  1776,  purchased  several  mer- 
chant vessels  with  the  view  of  having  them  hastily  fitted  out  as 
ships  of  war.  To  Captain  Barry  was  committed  tho  superin- 
tendence of  the  equipment  of  this  first  American  fieet.  When 
all  was  finished,  he  was  appointed  to  *he  command  of  tho  Lex- 
ington.  This  was  the  first  ship  to  hoist  the  Stars  and  Stripes. 
Captain  Barry  without  delay  proceeded  to  sea  in  search  of  the 


*  Chiefly  from  Dr.  R.  TI.  Clarke's  Memoir,  "  The  Metropolitan." 
t  Tho  exact  locality  was  "  the  seaside  parish  of  Tacumshaue." 

(187) 


Vol.  IV. 


1 88  Cathoiicily  in  the  United  States. 


enemy's  cruisers.  In  tho  midst  of  a  supericr  hostile  force,  he 
had  a  wide  and  dangerous  field  for  tho  display  of  his  f^enius  and 
patriotism.  Under  the  very  eyes  of  an  English  squadron,  he 
made  short  work  of  several  of  the  enemy's  small  cruisers,  and 
on  the  17th  of  Apnl,  1776,  fell  in  with  the  armed  tender  Edwards, 
which  after  a  spirited  contest  he  captured.  This  affair  is  worthy 
of  note  as  the  first  capture  of  any  vessel  of  war  by  a  regular 
American  cruiser  in  battle. 

Captain  Barry  was  next  appointed  to  the  Effingham,  but  as 
tho  rigorous  winter  prevented  the  ship  from  proceeding  to  sea, 
ho  joined  the  army,  and  by  his  dashing  bravery  and  cool  judg- 
ment, won  the  admiration  of  all.  After  the  British  army  under 
Lord  Howe  had  obtained  possession  of  Philadelphia,  Captain 
Barry  continued  in  command  of  the  Effingham,  which  was  still 
ice-bound  in  the  Delaware,  a  few  miles  from  the  city,  and  in  a 
position  which  the  English  General  saw  could  be  rendered  of 
great  service  to  the  British,  if  the  vessel  and  her  commander 
could  bo  gained  over  to  the  royalist  cause.  Lord  Howe  accordingly 
made  an  offer  of  fifteen  thousand  guineas*  and  the  command  o) 
British  ship  of  the  line  to  Captain  Barry,  if  he  would  deliver  u^ 
his  vessel  to  the  royalists.  With  a  noble  indignation  this  heroic 
Catholic  replied  that  "  he  had  devoted  himself  to  the  cause  of 
his  country,  and  not  the  value  or  command  of  the  whole  British 
fleet  could  seduce  him  from  it.'''' 

While  the  English  fteld  the  Delaware,  he  gave  them  constant 
annoyance  by  boat  expeditions,  cutting  off  their  supplies  and 
smaller  craft.  On  one  occasion  with  only  twenty-eight  men  in 
four  small  boats,  Captain  Barry  captured  two  British  ships  and 
a  schooner.  ''The  courage  that  inspired  this  small  and  heroic 
band,"  says  the  National  Portrait  Qallei'y,  "  is  not  alone  sufficient 
to  account  for  his  wonderful  success,  but  it  must  be  ascribed  to 
a  combination  of  daring  bravery  and  consummate  skill  by  which 
the  diminutive  power  under  his  command  was  directed  with 
unerring  rapidity  and  irresistible  force. "+ 

*  Equal  to  about  ?100,000  in  "greenbacks." 

+  For  this  brilliant  exploit,  Barry  received  tho  following  public  tedtimonial 

from  the  Comraapder-in-chief : 

Headqua»tkrb,  12th  March,  1778. 
"  To  Captain  John  Barry— 

"  Sir  :  I  have  received  your  favor  of  the  9th  inet.,  and  congratulate  you  on 
the  Buccess  which  has  crowned  your  gallantry  and  address  in  the  late  attack 
upon  the  enemy's  phips.  Although  circumstances  have  prevented  j'ou  from 
reaping  the  full  benclita  of  your  conquest,  yet  there  is  lunple  consolation  in 
tlie  degree  of  glory  wliich  you  have  acquired.  You  will  be  pleased  to  accept 
of  my  thanks  for  the  good  things  which  you  were  so  polite  as  to  send  me,  witli 
my  own  wishes  that  a  suitable  recompense  may  always  attend  your  bravery. 
"I  am,  sir,  Ac,  Go.  WAsniNOTON." 


g«1 

on| 

his 

Ad 

frii 

aftl 

hef 

bril 


Rise  and  Progress  of  Religious  Freedom.    189 

Getting  at  last  to  sea  in  command  of  the  Raleigh  of  thirty-two 
guns,  he  kept  three  British  ships  at  bay,  and  finally  disabling 
one,  succeeded  in  running  his  ship  ashore,  and  saving  most  of 
his  men.  He  received  the  title  of  Commodore,  being  the  first 
American  officer  upon  whom  it  was  conferred.  In  the  famous 
frigate,  Alliance,  Commodore  Barry  made  many  captures,  and 
after  a  terrible  engagement,  in  which  he  was  severely  wounded, 
he  took  the  English  sloop  of  war  Atlanta  and  her  consort,  the 
brig  Trcj)a,<isy. 

In  the  spring  of  1782,  he  performed  a  most  brilliant  action. 
Returning  from  Havana  with  a  largo  amount  of  specie  and  sup- 
plies, he  encountered  a  British  squadron,  in  the  very  sight  of 
which  he  attacked  and  disabled  the  sloop  Sibyl.  When  hailed 
by  the  squadron  as  to  the  name  of  the  ship,  the  captain,  etc., 
the  hero  gave  this  spirited  reply :  ^^The  United  States  ship  Alli- 
ance, saucy  Jack  Barry,  half  Irishman,  half  Yankee — loho  are 

your 

4*  This  is  the  ship  Alliance 
From  Philadelphia  town, 
And  proudly  bids  defiance 

To  England's  king  and  crown. 
As  Captain  on  the  deck  I  stand 

To  g:uard  her  banner  tnio. 
Half  Yankee  and  half  Irishman  ; 
What  tyrant's  slave  arc  you ?"  * 

After  the  Revolution,  Commodore  Barry  as  the  senior  officer, 
continued  at  the  head  of  the  navy  to  the  day  of  his  death.  Dur- 
ing the  misunderstanding  with  the  French  Government  in  1798, 
which  occasioned  a  partial  naval  war,  ho  rendered  eminent  serv- 
ice in  protecting  our  commerce,  and  infiicting  severe  punish- 
ment on  the  French.  He  died  at  Philadelphia  on  the  13th 
of  September,  1803,  and  was  interred  in  St.  Mary's  burying- 
ground,  where  his  monument  may  yet  be  seen.  As  the  Com- 
modore died  without  children,  ho  loft  the  Catholic  Orphan  Asy- 
lum of  Philadelphia  his  chief  legatee. 

In  person  Commodore  Barry  was  tall,  graceful,  and  command- 
ing. His  manners  were  simple  and  courteous,  bu^  very  digni- 
fied. His  fine  manly  countenance  showed  the  kindness  of  his 
heart  no  less  than  the  firmness  of  his  character.  Through  life 
he  was  a  sincere,  practical  Catholic,  romarkublo  for  his  strict 
and  noble  observance  of  the  duties  of  religion.  He  was  unsur- 
passed in  all  the  qualities  which  constitute  a  great  navai  com- 


»  Collins. 


IQO  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

mander.  The  coolness  and  intrepidity  no  less  than  the  skill 
and  fertility  in  expedients,  which  he  displayed  in  various  mem- 
orable conflicts  are  described  in  naval  annals  as  truly  won- 
derful. "His  private  life,"  says  an  excellent  authority,*  "was 
as  amiable  as  his  public  career  was  brilliant.  In  his  domestic 
relations  he  was  frank  and  affectionate.  Deeply  impressed  with 
religion,  he  exacted  an  observance  of  its  ceremonies  and  duties 
on  board  of  his  ship  as  well  as  in  the  retirement  of  private  life. 
His  'ofty  feelingK  of  honor  secured  the  confidence  of  the  most 
illustrious  men  of  the  nation,  and  gave  him  an  extensive  in- 
fluence in  the  various  spheres  in  which  his  active  life  required 
him  to  move.  The  regard  and  admiration  of  Gen.  Washington, 
which  he  possessed  to  an  eminent  extent,  was  among  the  most 
enviable  fruits  of  his  patriotic  career.  His  public  services  were 
not  limited  to  any  customary  rule  of  professional  duty,  but 
without  regard  to  labor,  danger,  or  expense,  his  devotion  to  his 
country  kept  him  constantly  engaged  in  disinterested  acts  of 
public  utility."  ^ 


*  The  National  Portrait  Gallery. 


11 


8 
C 
1 

S 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE  CHURCH   IN  THE   YOUNG  REPUBLIC. 
(A.   D.    1776—1790.) 

THE  ENQLTSn  VICAR- APOSTOLIC — DR.  CARROLL'S  OPINION— THE  NBW 
PREFECT  AP08T0LIC~DR.  FRANKLIN  AND  REV.  DR.  CARROLL — AN 
ITEM  FROM  franklin's  DIARY— THE  TE  DEUM  AT  PHILADELPHIA — 
WASHINGTON  AT  MASS — NEW  YORK  CITY— JOHN  JAY  AN  EXQUISITE 
BIGOT — THE  LACT  SPECIMEN  OF  ENGLISH  TYRANNY  IN  OUR  COUNTRY — 
MASS  ON  A  TOP  FLOOR — ROVING  PRIESTS  AND  OBSTINATE  LAYMEN — 
BOSTON — WASHINGTON  AND  THE  POPE'S  EFFIGY  BURNERS— CATHOLIC 
FRANCE  MELTING  THE  ICE  OF  BIGOTRY— ONLY  THIRTY  CATHOLICS  IN 
BOSTON  AT  THE  CLOSE  OF  THE  REVOLUTION — REV.  JOHN  THAYER  BE- 
COMES A  CATHOLIC — THE  FIRST  BISHOP  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES — HIS 
CONSECRATION— FIRST  SERMON  IN  BALTIMORE — CATHOLIC  STATIS- 
TICS— ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL  AND  PRESIDENT  WASHINGTON  COM- 
PARED. 


THE   ENGLISH    VICAR-APOSTOLIC   AND   THE   REVOLUTION. 

We  will  now  glance  at  the  progress  of  Catholicity  from 
the  signing  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  to  the  conse- 
cration of  the  lirst  Bishop  of  Baltimore,  in  1790.  During 
the  protracted  and  fierce  struggle  there  was  not  the  least 
communication  between  the  Catholics  of  America  and  their 
Bishop,  who  was  the  Vicar- Apostolic  of  the  London  dis- 
trict. To  his  spiritual  jurisdiction  were  subject  the  United 
States.  But  whether  he  would  hold  no  correspondence 
with  a  country  which  he,  perhaps,  considered  in  a  state  of 
rebellion,  or  whether  a  natural  indolence  and  irresolution 
restrained  him,  the  fact  is  that  he  held  no  kind  of  inter- 
course with  priest  or  layman  in  this  part  of  his  charge. 

Before  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  liis  predecessor  had 
appointed  a  vicar,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Lewis,  formerly  superior  of 
the  Jesuits ;  and  he  governed  the  mission  during  the  Bishop's 


192  Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 

silence.  Soon  after  the  termination  of  the  war,  the  clergy 
of  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania,  being  senaible  that,  to  derive 
all  advantage  from  the  new  state  of  things  in  America,  it 
would  be  proper  to  have  an  ecclesiastical  superior  in  the 
country  itself ;  and  knowing  the  jealousy  prevailing  in  the 
American  governments  against  the  right  of  jurisdiction  be- 
ing vested  in  a  person  residing  in  Great  Britain,  addressed 
themselves  to  the  Holy  Sec,  praying  that  a  superior  might 
be  allowed,  and  that  he  might  be  chosen  by  the  clergy,  sub- 
ject to  the  approbation  and  confirmation  of  his  Holiness.* 

THE   NEW    I'KEFECT   APOSTOLIC. 

The  American  clergy  believed  the  time  and  the  circum- 
stances of  the  new  nation  as  premature  for  the  presence  of  a 
Bishop.  They  simply  desired  a  superior  with  some  of  the 
episcopal  powers.  The  Holy  See,  in  its  wisdom,  came  to 
the  same  conclusion,  and  resolved  to  give  Maryland  a  pro- 
visional ecclesiastical  organization.  The  learned  and  patiiotic 
Rev.  Dr.  Carroll  received  the  appointment.  He  was  em- 
powered, among  other  things,  to  bless  the  holy  oils,  and  to 
administer  the  sacrament  of  confirmation.  This  holy  sacra- 
ment, which  strengthens  faith  in  man,  had  never  yet  been 
conferred  in  the  United  States. 


a| 

ini 

1>» 
cii 


DOCTOR    FEANKLIN    AND    KEV.    DR.    CARROI-L. 

But  we  must  not  omit  to  mention  a  fact  as  interesting  as 
it  is  singular.  The  venei-able  statesman  and  philosopher, 
Ben  Franklin — then  the  American  Minister  at  Paris — • 
had  an  honorable  share  in  the  nomination  of  the  future 
Patriarch  of  the  Catholic  Church  in  the  United  States. 
"When  the  Nuncio,  at  Paris,"  writes  Father  Thrope,  in 
a  letter  to  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll,  from  Rome,  dated  June  9th, 
1784,  "  applied  to  Mr.  Franklin,  the  old  gentleman  remem- 
bered you ;  he  had  his  memory  refreshed  before,  though  you 
had  modestly  put  your  own  name  in  the  last  place  of  the 
list."     Franklin's  Diary  records  this  memorable  event  thus : 

*  Bishop  Carroll. 


The  Church  m  the   Young  Republic.       193 

"1784,  July  1st.— 'i  ho  Pope's  Nuncio  called  and  ac- 
quainted me  that  the  Pope  had,  on  ray  recommendation, 
appointed  Mr.  John  CaiToll,  Superior  of  the  Catliolic  clergy 
in  America,  with  many  of  the  powers  of  a  Bishop,  and  that, 
probably,  he  would  be  made  a  Bishop  in  partihus  before  the 
end  of  the  year." 

In  consulting  Dr.  Franklin,  the  Holy  See  simply  wished 
to  pay  an  act  of  courtesy  to  the  yoL'ng  Republic.  The  Con- 
stitution of  the  United  States,  whicii  places  religion  beyond 
the  sphere  of  the  civil  power,  was  :iot  yet  drafted.  And  it 
need  excite  no  astonishment  that  even  educated  Europe  was 
not  familiar  with  the  principles  which  underlie  the  Ameri- 
can Government. 

The  very  Bev.  Dr.  CaiToll,  as  Prefect  Apostolic,  at  once 
began  his  visits.  His  long  journeys  were  chiefly  through 
Maryland,  Pennsylvania,  and  New  York.  The  flrst,  as  the 
seat  of  the  old  Catholic  colony,  had  still  a  respectable  num- 
ber of  Catholics ;  and  in  Pennsylvania,  Dr.  Carroll  found  a 
population  of  about  seven  thousand  faithful. 

PHILADELPHIA. 

Sometime  before  the  arrival  of  the  Prefect  Apostolic  this 
city  was  the  scene  of  a  notable  religious  ceremony>  At  the 
close  of  the  Revolutionary  War  a  solemn  Te  Demn  was 
chanted  in  St.  Joseph's  church,  at  the  request  of  the  Mar- 
quis de  la  Luzerne,  the  French  Ambassador.  He  invited 
the  members  of  the  United  States  Congress,  as  well  as  the 
principal  generals  and  distinguished  citizens,  to  attend. 
Washington  and  Lafayette  were  present.  The  Abbe  Ban- 
dale  delivered  a  most  eloquent  discourse.  "  Who  but  He,'* 
exchiimed  the  eloquent  priest,  "  He  in  whose  hands  are  the 
hearts  of  men,  could  inspire  the  allied  troops  with  the  friend- 
ship, the  confidence,  the  tenderness  of  brothers  i  Ah  !  the 
combination  of  so  many  fortunate  circumstances  is  an  ema- 
nation of  the  all-perfect  Mind.  That  courage,  that  skill, 
that  activity  bear  the  sacred  impression  of  Him  who  is  divine. 
*  *  *  Let  us  with  one  voice  pour  forth  to  the  Lord  that 
13 


i 


194  Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 

hjmn  of  praise  by  wliicli  Christians  celebrate  their  gratitude 
and  His  glory — Te  Deum  LaudamMsy 


NEW    YORK    CITY. 

The  first  years  of  the  Kevolutioii  were  years  of  marked 
intolerance  in  the  State  of  New  York.*  We  have  already 
referred  to  John  Jay's  performance  as  a  lef^islator — a  per- 
formance which  hands  down  that  noted  gentleman  to  pos- 
terity as  a  man  of  narrow  views,  an  exquisite  bigot. 

But  it  Vr'as  especially  the  Catholics  of  New  York  City 
who  were  made  to  feel  that  their  faith  was  a  crime !  The 
British  occupied  the  city  during  the  greater  part  of  the  war. 
Tn  fact,  it  was  only  late  in  the  fall  of  1783  that  it  was 
evacuated  by  the  English  troops.  In  1778,  a  French  man- 
of-war  was  captured  and  taken  into  New  York  harbor.  The 
chaplain  of  the  ship,  Abbe  de  la  Motte,  being  requested  by 
the  Catholics  of  the  city  to  say  Mass,  did  so.  For  this 
offense,  the  English  commander  had  him  thrown  into  prison. 
However,  the  ever-memorable  day  at  length  came,  when 
the  last  British  soldier  stepped  on  board  of  ship,  and  turned 
his  back  to  that  America  which  had  taught  a  solemn  lesson 
to  tyrants — a  lesson  that  shall  be  studied  to  the  end  of  the 
world ! 

MASS   ON    A  TOP   FLOOR. 

The  energetic  Father  Farmer  soon  found  his  way  from 
Philadelphia  to  New  York.f    In  the  month  of  December, 

*  "  In  the  northern  colonies,  that  bordered  on  Canada,  the  feel- 
ing (bigotry)  was  especially  intense;  and  when  the  struggle  was 
imminent,  the  first  colonial  flag  run  up  at  New  York  in  place  of 
the  English  colors  bore  the  words  :  *  No  Popery.'  "  "  American 
Catholic  Quarterly  Review."    Vol.  I. 

t  One  hundred  years  ago  there  was  no  resident  priest  between 
Canada  and  Pennsylvania.  To  perform  his  Easter  duties  a  New 
Yorker  was  obliged  to  go  to  Philadelphia  !  Watson  in  his  Annals 
sneeringly  says:  "  John  Leary  goes  once  a  year  to  Philadelphia 
to  get  absolution."  This  was  actually  the  name  of  a  good  Cath- 
olic of  that  day,  who  nobly  placed  a  high  value  on  his  soul. 


The  Church  in  the   Young  Republic,      195 


1783,  he  celebrated 


the 


?  lioly  sncriiico  of  the  Mass 
floor  of  a  (•ar})enter'8  shop !  For  some  time,  the  residence  of 
Don  l)ic<^o  de  (Jardo<iui,  the  Spanish  Ambassador,  was  used 
for  tlic  same  purpose.  This  distinguislied  Spaniard,  in  1780, 
laid  the  corner-stone  of  old  St.  Peter's,  on  liarclay  street — 
the  first  of  oiir  churches  in  the  city  of  New  York.  It  was  a 
brick  structure,  eighty-one  feet  by  forty-eight,  with  a  scjuare 
tower  and  dome.  Charles  the  Thiixl,  King  of  Spain,  gener- 
ously contributed  $10,000  towards  its  erection.  The  Fieuch 
Consul  was  also  one  of  its  best  benefactors. 

Father  Fanner,  S.J.,  continued,  to  the  date  of  his  death, 
in  1780,  to  be  Very  Kev.  Dr.  Carroll's  vicar  for  New  York. 
From  time  to  time,  several  i)riests  from  Europe  arrived,  and 
began  exercising  their  ministry  witliout  the  necessary  facul- 
ties. When  remonstrated  with,  they  made  obstinacy  their 
stronghold,  and  were  sometimes  supported  against  the  Pre- 
fect Apostolic  by  congregations  Catholic  in  name  only.  For 
nearly  two  years,  a  liev.  Mr.  Nugent,  aided  by  the  trustees 
of  St.  Peter's,  bade  defiance  to  the  ecclesiastical  superior, 
and  on  one  occasion  compelled  him  even  to  leave  the  Church. 
However,  in  1787,  Very  Rev.  Dr.  Carroll  committed  the 
parish  of  New  York  to  Father  O'Brien,  an  Irish  Dominican, 
and  peace  and  harmony  were  again  restored.  It  must,  indeed, 
be  avowed  that  nothing  is  more  sad  than  the  commencement 
of  the  Church  in  the  great  "  Empire  City  " — disobedient  and 
scandalous  priests,  rebellious  and  usurping  laymen ! 

At  this  period  the  Catholic  population  numbered  one  hwv- 
d/redj  of  which  about  forty  approached  the  sacraments. 

BOSTON. 

Hitherto  I  have  only  referred  to  New  England  in  order 
to  point  out  its  barbarous  penid  code.  Except  as  an  object  of 
horror.  Catholicity  was  unknown.  Doubtless  there  were  a 
few  Catholics.  But  they  lived  as  if  they  knew  not  their 
religion.  Their  children  grew  up  Protestants.  The  brave 
General  Sullivan  of  Revolutionary  fame  is  an  example.  His 


196  Catholicity  iii  the  United  States. 

Catliolic  parents  perhaps  never  "  taught  him  to  lisp  the  name 
of  Mary." 


WASHINGTON  AND   THE    TOrE  8   EFFIGY   BFENERS. 

The  War  of  Independence  brought  about  the  first  change. 
"When  Washington  proceeded  to  the  camp  at  Boston,  lie  was 
shocked  at  the  silly  bigotry  which  reigned  there.  The  Pope 
was  to  be  burned  in  effigy  !  But  the  following  order,  in  tlie 
year  1775,  shows  how  the  illustrious  commander  viewed  the 
matter : 

"  November  5th. — As  the  Cormnander-in-chief  has  been 
apprised  of  a  design  formed  for  the  ohservance  of  that  ri- 
diculous and  childish  custom  of  burning  the  effigy  of  the 
Pope,  he  cannot  help  expressing  his  surprise  that  there  should 
he  officers  and  soldiers  in  this  army  so  void  of  common  sense 
as  not  to  see  the  impropriety  of  such  a  step.  *  -  *  * 
It  is  so  7no7istrous  as  not  to  he  suffered,  or  excused  •  i?ideedy 
i/nstead  of  offering  the  most  remote  insidt,  it  is  our  duty  to 
address  pid)lic  thanlcs  to  our  {Catholic)  brethren,  as  to  them 
we  a/re  indebted  for  every  late  success  over  the  common  enemy 
in  Canada.'''"  This  had  a  healthy  effect  on  the  moral  idiots 
around  Boston. 


CATHOLIC   FRANCE  MELTING  THE   ICE   OF   BIGOTRY. 

In  1778,  a  French  fleet  and  army,  under  the  distinguished 
Count  D'Estaing,  entered  Boston  harbor,  remaining  there 
for  three  months.  Catholic  seiwice  was  regularly  perfonned. 
The  change  was  astonishing !  A  French  officer  having  died, 
was  buried  with  all  the  impressive  ceremonies  of  the  Catho- 
lic Church,  and  the  members  of  the  Town  Council  were  seen 
marching  in  a  funeral,  which  was  preceded  by  a  large  cruci- 
fix !  Indeed,  the  presence  of  the  French  did  much  to  dispol 
bigotry  in  every  quarter. 

An  able  writer  referring  to  this  fact,  justly  remarks: 
"  France,  Catholic  France,  was  solicited ;  she  was  asked,  and 

♦  V/ashington's  Writings. 


G 


TJic  CJiurch  in  the   Young  Republic.       197 

not  in  vain,  to  lend  her  armies  to  the  cause  of  the  Rcvohi- 
tion.  French  troops  landed  at  Boston,  and  amid  the  ridi- 
cule of  the  English  party,  the  selectmen  of  the  capital  of 
New  England  followed  a  cruciiix  through  the  streets !  A 
F)-ench  flee-  enters  Narragansett  Bay,  jind  Ehode  Island 
repeali^^  •'■  la'.r  excluding  (yatholics  from  civil  rights !  French 
troops  are  at  Philadelphia  and  Congress  goes  to  Mass  !  Ne- 
cessity compelled  this  adaptation  of  the  outer  appearance, 
and,  perhaps,  to  some  extent  calmed  the  prejudices  of  former 
days.  With  a  Catholic  ally,  the  government  could  not  de- 
nounce Catholicity.  In  the  constitution  adopted,  it  washed 
its  hands  of  the  matter,  and  Congress  refused  to  assume,  as 
one  of  its  powers,  a  right  to  enter  the  sphere  of  religion." 

At  the  close  of  the  llevolution,  about  thirtv  Irishmen  and 
a  few  French  and  Spaniards  constituted  the  total  Catholic 
population  of  Boston.  During  the  last  years  of  the  war, 
they  were  allowed  the  use  of  a  school-house  in  which  to  cel- 
ebrate divine  service.  Tlie  Abbu  de  la  i^iterie,  fonnerly  a 
chaplain  in  the  French  navy,  was  their  iirst  pastor.* 

AN    EMINENT   CONVERT. 

A  remarkable  conversion  took  place  at  this  time.  Rev. 
John  Thayer,  of  l^>oston,  was  a  Congrcgatiimalist  minister,  a 
member  of  one  of  the  oldest  New  England  families,  and  a 
gentleman  of  more  than  usually  thorough  education.  To 
extend  his  knowdedge  and  experience,  he  travelled  through 
various  parts  of  Eurojie.  Ilis  prejudices  were  vividly  strong, 
especially  against  the  Jesuits.  When  in  Rome,  he  accidentally 
became  a('<piainted  with  the  sons  of  Loyola  ;  and  in  May, 
17813,  was  received  into  the  Catholic  Church!  lie  proceeded 
to  the  famous  Seminary  of  St.  Snlpice,  at  Paris,  studied,  and 
was  ordained  priest.     In  1700,  he  returned  to  Iloston,  and 

*Hi8  "ministrations,"  writes  Father  Finotti,  "  came  to  a  sorrv 
and  quick  end  on  the  29th  of  May,  1789,  when  he  was  suspended." 
La  Poterie  was  a  dangerous  character — a  wolf  in  sheep's  cloth- 
ing. 


V' 


t  ^ 


'7  B 

I 


I 


!  ,' 


^<7" 


198  Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 

"u-as  appointed  pastor  by  Yery  Hev.  Dr.  Carroll.  Writing 
to  a  friend  in  that  year  he  says  cf  his  new  congregation  : 
"  About  one  hundred  Catholics,  consisting  of  Frencli,  Irish- 
men, and  Americans,  are  wli at  constitute  our  present  church. 
About  a  dozen  of  them  can  attend  Mass  daily.  I  am  en- 
gaged in  instructing  a  few  Protestants  whom  I  hope  to 
restore  sliortly  to  our  common  mother."  How  wonderful 
are  the  ways  of  God ! 

TIFE   FIRST   BISHOP    OF   THE    ITNITED    STATES. 

We  must  now  return  to  the  Prefect  Apostolic,  Yery  Rev. 
Dr.  Carroll.  For  live  years  he  toiled  on  with  the  amiability 
and  zeal  of  an  Apostle,  daily  encountering  obstacles  from 
the  nature  of  his  duties,  from  insubordinate  priests  and 
laity,  that  would  have  discouraged  any  but  the  bravest 
spirit.  "  Every  day,"  he  writes,  "  fuiTiishes  me  with  new 
reflections,  and  almost  every  day  produces  new  events  to 
alarm  my  conscience,  and  excite  fi'esh  solicitude  at  the  pros- 
pect before  me.  You  cannot  conceive  the  trouble  I  suffer 
already,  and  still  greater,  which  I  foresee,  from  the  medley 
of  clerical  characters  coming  from  different  quarters  and 
various  educations,  and  seeking  employment  here.  I  can- 
not avoid  employing  some  of  them,  and  they  begin  soon  to 
create  disturbances."  This  state  of  things  was  almost  to  be 
expected  on  account  of  the  heterogeneous  character  of  both 
people  and  clergy.  As  many  of  the  clergy  were  entirely 
ignorant  of  the  English  language,  and  others  in  no  very 
good  repute  at  home,  it  was  soon  found  that  ampler  powers 
than  those  possessed  by  the  Prefect  Apostolic  were  needed 
to  hold  the  tangled  reins  of  authority  with  proper  firmness. 

The  principal  members  of  the  American  clergy  who  had 
the  good  of  religion  at  heart,  assembled,  and  petitioned 
Pome  for  a  bishop.  The  request  was  granted  with  the  priv- 
ilege of  selecting  the  candidate  and  of  locating  the  new  see. 
They  fixed  upon  Baltimore,  "  this  l)eing,"  writes  Dr.  Car- 
roll to  a  clerical  friend  in  Europe,  "  the  principal  town  in 
Maryland,  and  that  State  being  the  oldest,  and  still  the 


The  Church  in  the   Young  Republic.      199 


most  numerous  residence  of  true  religion  in  America.  So 
far  all  was  right.  We  then  proceeded  to  the  election,  the 
evont  of  which  was  such  as  deprives  me  of  all  expectation  of 
rest  or  pleasure  henceforward  and  fills  me  with  terror- with 
respect  to  eternity.  I  am  so  stunned  with  the  issue  of  this 
business,  that  I  truly  hate  the  hearing  or  the  mention  of  it ; 
and,  therefore,  will  say  only,  that  since  ray  brethren — whom 
in  this  case  I  consider  as  the  interpreters  of  the  Divine 
Will — say  I  must  obey,  I  will  do  it ;  but  by  obeying  shall 
sacrifice  henceforward  every  moment  of  peace  and  satisfac- 
tion." One  of  Dr.  CarrolPs  conspicuous  qualities,  a  quality 
that  shed  a  lustre  over  his  whole  character,  was  his  modest 
humility — 

"  Humility,  that  low  sweet  root 
From  which  all  heavenly  virtues  shoot!" 

By  the  Holy  See  he  was  nominated  bishop  of  Baltimore. 
On  the  reception  of  the  official  documents  the  new  prelate 
at  once  proceeded  to  England  for  consecration.  The  solemn 
ceremony  took  place  in  Lulworth  Castle,  the  lordly  resi- 
dence of  the  pious  Thomas  Weld,  on  Sunday,  August  15th, 
1790.  The  chief  consecrator  was  lit.  Kev.  Dr.  Walmsley, 
senior  Catholic  Bishop  of  Great  Britain. 

Late  in  the  same  year  Bishop  Carroll  readied  the  shores 
of  America,  was  joyfully  welcomed  by  his  people,  and  in- 
stalled in  his  episcopal  see.  On  the  Sunday  of  installation 
he  addressed  them  a  discourse  which  shall  ever  remain  a 
masterpiece  of  sacred  eloquence. 

"  This  day,  my  dear  brethren,'"'  began  the  venerable  man, 
"  impresses  deeply  on  my  mind  a  lively  sense  of  the  new 
relation  in  which  I  stand  before  you.  The  shade  of  retire- 
ment and  solitude  must  no  longer  be  my  hope  and  prospect 
of  consolation.  Often  have  I  flattered  myself  that  my  declin- 
ing years  would  be  indulged  in  such  a  state  of  rest  from 
labor  and  solicitude  for  others,  as  would  leave  me  the  best 
opportunity  of  attending  to  the  great  coTicem  of  my  own 
salvation,  and  of  confining  myself  to  remember  my  past 


200  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

years  in  the  bitterness  of  compunction.  But  it  has  pleased 
(lod  to  order  otherwise ;  and  though  my  duty  commands 
submission,  it  cannot  allay  my  fears — those  fears  which  I 

feel  for  you  and  for  myself In  (xod  alone  can  I  find 

any  consolation.  He  knows  by  what  steps  I  have  been  con- 
ducted to  this  important  station,  and  how  much  I  have 
always  dreaded  it.  He  will  not  abandon  me  unless  I  first 
draw  down  His  malediction  by  my  unfaithfulness  to  my 
charge.  Pray,  dear  brethren,  pray  incessantly  that  I  may 
not  incur  so  dreadful  a  punishment.  Alas  !  the  punishment 
would  fall  on  you  as  well  as  myself — my  unfaithfulness 
would  redound  on  you,  and  deprive  you  of  some  of  the 
means  of  salvation."*  What  modest  grandeur  and  simple 
sublimity  mark  these  first  utterances  of  the  Patriarch  of  the 
American  Church ! 


CATHOLIC    STATISTICS. 

At  this  point  it  may  be  proper  to  examine  into  the  num- 
ber of  Bishop  Carroll's  spiritual  children  in  1790.  Relig- 
ious statistics  in  our  country  liave  been  at  all  times  in  a 
misty,  unsatisfactory  condition.  This  early  date  was  no  ex- 
ception. All  figures,  therefore,  in  that  connection,  are  to 
be  received  as  approximations — guesses  at  truth.  The  first 
national  census  was  taken  in  1790,  and  gave  us  a  total 
white  population  of  nearly  3,200,000.  Of  these  about 
30,000  were  Catholics.f  According  to  this  estimate,  one  in 
every  one  hundred  and  ten  of  the  white  population  was  a 
(catholic.  Bishop  Carroll's  diocese  was  the  United  States.:}: 
His  priests  were  between  thirty  and  forty  in  number ;  while 
his  small,  but  w-ide-spread  fiock  was  distributed  somewhat 
as  follows:  10,000  in  Maryland;  7,000  in  Pennsylvania; 

*  Rev.  Dr.  C.  I.  AVhite's  Sketch. 

t  Many  writers  con8ider  this  too  small.  Some  mention  50,000, 
nnd  even  higher,  as  being  nearer  tlio  exact  number.  Tlie  above 
is  Bishop  Carroll's  estimate. 

j:  The  diocese  of  Baltimore  then  included  all  the  States  east 
ot  the  Mississippi,  except  Florida. 


The  Church  in  the   Yotiiig  Republic.      201 

3,000  at  Detroit  and  Yincejines ;  2,500  in  Illinois,  and  in 
all  the  oilier  States  together  there  were  not  perhaps  more 
than  1,500 — in  all  about  30,000.  Such  was  the  Anieriean 
Chnrcli  at  the  date  the  Holy  Father  firmly  planted  the  eor- 
ncr-stonc  l)y  erecting  the  first  episcopal  sec  of  Jjaltiiuore. 


A    COMPARISON. 

Between  the  early  history  of  the  American  Republic  and 
the  American  Catholic  Church,  there  are  many  interesting 
points  of  resemblance.  They  arose  together.  They  grew 
toijether.  Their  chiefs  were  men  illustrious  in  their  dav — 
beacon-lights  of  the  past.  They  were  born  about  the  same 
time,  the  one  in  Maryland,  the  other  in  Virginia.  Washing- 
ton carried  the  liepublic  through  its  first  years  of  struggle 
and  fiery  conflict.  (Jarroll  guided  the  frail  ship  of  the  Church 
over  the  stormy  billows  that  broke  across  its  early  course. 
In  1789,  George  Washitigtou  was  elected  first  President  of 
the  Eepublic.  In  the  same  year,  the  Holy  See  appointed 
John  Carroll  first  Bishop  of  the  American  Church.  The 
greatness  and  wisdom  of  Washington  are  equally  conspicu- 
ous in  his  life  and  his  writings.  He  was  truly  the  father 
of  his  country.  In  the  character  of  Carroll  may  be  found 
the  most  splendid  virtues  that  can  adorn  humanity.  The 
wisdom  of  his  words  and  his  acts  throws  a  halo  of  glory 
around  his  illustrious  career.  lie  was  the  I*atriarch  of 
the  American  Church.  In  both  we  recognize  incomparable 
jiatriots.  Washington's  patriotism  was  enhanced  and  bei.u- 
tified  by  his  lofty  morality,  and  his  profoundly  religious 
instincts.  The  venerated  Carroll  did  not  love  his  country 
less  because  he  loved  his  faith  more.  Illustrious  men  ! 
to  them,  didy  was,  indeed,  the  most  sublime  word  in  the 
language  ! 


P 


■i't' 


-M- 


CHAPTER  IV. 

from  the   foundation  of   the  diocese   of  baltimore  to 
the  death  of  ajighbishop  carroll. 

(a.  d.  1790—1815.) 

"The  harvest  indeed  is  great,  but  the  laborers  arc  few."— Gospel. 

TRUTH  BATTLING  FOR  HER  CHILDREN — A  SPIRITUAL  HANNIBAL — SYNOD 
OF  BALTIMORE— THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION — FUJST  MASS  IN  CHARLES- 
TON, S.  C. — THE  CHURCH  IN  KENTUCKY — THE  YOUNG  PRINCE-PHIEST 
— MYSTERIOUS  EVENTS  IN  VIRGINIA — THE  APOSTLE  OF  THE  ALLE- 
GHANIES— THE  BRAVE  CAPTAIN  MCGUIRE — A  FOREST  JOURNEY — THE 
FIRST  MIDNIGHT  MASS  IN  THE  ALLEGHANIES — THE  FIRST  CHURCH 
IN  BOSTON— PIONEERS  OP  THE  FAITH — .OARK  PICTURES  AND  LIVELY 
LETTERS — IMMIGRATION — FOUR  NEW  SEliS— REBELLIOUS  CHILDREN 
OF  TUE  CIIUHCH — THE  SEAL  OF  CONFESSION— DEDFOATION  OF  ST. 
PATRICK'S  CATHEDRAL,  NEW  YORK — OTHER  EVKNla — DEATH  OF 
ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL. 


OBSTACLES   TO    SURMOUNT. 

The  American  Church,  as  an  organized  hoi]y,  now  fairly 

hegan  its  heavenly  mission.    The  field  was  large.,  the  laborers 

few.     If  the  dark  times  had  passed,  and  the  ^tar  of  hope 

shone  briglitly,  still,  obstacles,  ahnost  numberless,  appeared 

on  every  side.     The  majority  of  the  Catholics  were  poor. 

Many  of  them  were  faithful  In'sh  who  had  fled  from  Enghsh 

tyranny  and  spoliation ;  numbers  of  them,  exiled  French  and 

Germans  who  had  gladly  escaped  f?*om  the  ruin  and  desola- 

'  'or  that  threatened  European  society.     In  many  States  the 

V  name  of  Catholic  way  held  in  contempt.     The  battle- 

/  ^    nd  was  changed.     It  was  no  longer  a  struggle  for  exist- 

ciivu  with  odious  penal  enactments,  but  a  ceasele;«  conflict 

with  ignorance  and  fanaticism — reinains  of  an  unhappy  jiast. 

(202) 


Its  History  from  lygo  to  1815. 


203 


At  all  hazards  tlie  Faith  was  to  be  preserved  and  extended. 
To  many  (.'atholics  the  very  sight  of  a  priest  was  something 
dimly  remembered.  They  h^'.d  not  beheld  one  for  years ! 
The  practice  of  their  religion  was  like  a  happy  dream  of 
youthful  days — almost  forgotten,  yet  the  sweet  memory  of 
which  lingered  in  the  mind.  The  Sunday  of  first  communion 
with  its  celestial  peace  of  soul — who  can  forget  it?  In  the 
life  of  the  true  Catholic,  it  is  that  bright  day — that  day  of 
beauty  wliich  is  a  joy  forever  ! 


•ly 

n's 


la- 
le 
e- 


st. 


A   SPIRITUAL    IIANNTBAL. 

Bishop  Carroll,  ai-ming  himself  with  zeal,  courage,  and 
patience,  calmly  surveyed  the  innnense  field ;  and  like  an 
able  commander,  laid  down  his  plans,  and  at  once  began 
operations.  With  Baltimore  as  a  base  and  centre  of  action, 
he  soon  made  his  power  felt  and  respected  eVen  to  the  ex- 
tremities of  Georgia,  Maine,  and  Michigan.  A  spiritual 
Hannibal,  the  wise  prelate  skillfully  manoiuvred  his  small 
band  of  a  few  dozen  priests.  He  gave  each  pastor  his  ben- 
ediction, cheered  him  on  in  his  difficulties,  reminding  him 
of  his  high  mission  as  a  member  of  the  vanguard  for  the 
conquest  of  souls.  Weak  points  were  strengthened ;  ene- 
mies awed  into  nentrals,  or  changed  into  fast  friends ;  and 
the  outposts  of  the  faith  gradually  extended.  This  is  no 
imaginary  picture.  The  prudence  and  lofty  zeal  of  Dr. 
Carroll  challenge  unqnalified  admiration. 

In  November,  1791,  the  Bishop  convened  his  first  synod 
in  Baltimore.  It  numbered  twenty-two  clergymen.  The 
salutary  measures  adopted  by  that  body  remain  to  this  day 
a  monument  of  its  wisdom. 

About  this  time  Dr.  Carroll  paid  his  first  Episcopal  visit 
to  the  capital  of  New  England.  "  It  is  wonderful,''  he  writes, 
"  to  tell  what  great  civilities  have  been  done  to  me  in  Bos- 
ton, where  a  few  years  ago,  a '  Popish '  priest  was  thought  to 
be  the  greatest  monster  in  creation.  Many  here,  even  of 
their  principal  people,  have  acknowledged  to  me  that  they 
would  have  crossed  to  the  o])posite  side  of  tlie  street  rather 


204         Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

« 

than  meet  a  Tloman  Catholic  some  time  ago.  The  horror 
which  was  associated  with  the  idea  of  a  '  papist '  is  incredi- 
ble ;  and  the  scandalous  misrepresentation  by  their  ministers 
increased  the  horror  every  Sunday." 

THE   FIRST  MASS    IN   CHARLESTON,    8.    O. 

The  Holy  Mass  was  first  celebrated  in  Charleston,  S.  C, 
in  1786,  by  an  Italian  priest,  chaplain  on  a  ship  bound  for 
South  America,  which  iiad  put  into  the  port  for  a  short 
time.  The  few  Catholics  resident  there  invited  him  to  offer 
up  the  holy  sacrifice,  which  he  did  at  the  house  of  an  Irish 
Catholic.  Twelve  persons  were  present.  Some  years  later 
Father  O'Keilly,  an  Irish  priest,  began  to  exercise  his  min- 
istry among  them ;  and,  in  1789,  the  erection  of  a  church 
was  commenced.  But  soon  they  were  again  without  a  pas- 
tor. Immediately  after  the  consecration  of  Bishop  Carroll, 
the  Catholics  of  Charleston  addressed  their  congratulations 
and  petitions  to  the  prelate,  who  was  compelled  to  defer 
granting  them  a  priest  until  he  could  secure  the  services  of 
more  apostolic  laborers  for  his  immense  diocese.  Separated 
six  hundred  miles  from  the  nearest  priest,  this  little  congre- 
gation, mostly  Irish,  nobly  kept  their  faith.  In  1793,  Rev. 
Dr.  O'Gallagher,  a  native  of  Dublin,  a  man  of  extraordinary 
eloquence  and  superior  intellect,  came  to  Charleston,  by  the 
authority  of  Bishop  Carroll,  and  labored  to  collect  his  flock 
together  and  to  repair  the  church.  Catholic  settlers  from 
Maryland  and  St.  Domingo  soon  swelled  the  number,  and 
in  time  the  old  frame  church  M'as  replaced  by  a  brick  one.* 

*  Rev.  Dr.  O'Gallagher  was  a  ripe  and  varied  scholar.  Ho 
supported  himself  as  a  professor  in  Charleston  College,  and  thus 
relieved  the  poor  Catholics  of  his  expenses.  "In  the  life  of 
the  celebrated  Attorney-General,  HughSwintonLegare,"  writes 
Bishop  England,  "  it  is  related  that  no  competent  Latin  teacher 
could  be  found  for  this  descendant  of  the  Huguenots  but  Dr. 
O'Gallagher.  This  missionary  was  sent  to  Savannah  in  1817, 
and  some  years  after  went  to  Louisiana."  Works  of  Dr.  Eng- 
land, Vol.  in. 

His  reply  to  the  apostate  Wharton,  in  18!  5,  is  a  most  able  pro- 
duction. 


Its  History  from   1790  to  18 15. 


205 


THE   FRENCH    REVOLUTION. 

On  tlie  other  side  of  tlie  Atlantic,  affairs  had  readied  a 
terrible  crisis.  "While  Divino  Providence  was  preparing  on 
the  Western  Contnient,  a  new  and  grateful  field  for  the  seed 
of  truth,  it  was  disposing  events  in  Europe  and  other  coun- 
tries for  supplying  that  field  with  zealous  and  active  laborers 
who  would  bring  forth  fruit  in  good  season.*  The  French 
Kevolution,  with  all  its  irreligious  horrors,  burst  upon  the 
world,  deluging  unhappy  France  in  the  blood  of  her  best 
and  bravest  sons.  It  was  a  fearful  upheaval  of  society — a 
social  volcano.  But  what  was  a  misfortune  for  the  land  of 
St.  Louis,  proved  a  blessing  to  the  United  States.  Between 
1701  and  1799,  twenty-three  French  priests  sought  a  refuge 
on  our  shores.  In  learning,  virtue,  and  polished  manners, 
they  were  worthy  representatives  of  their  Divine  Master. 
Each  one  was  a  valuable  acquisition  for  our  young  and  strug- 
gling Church.  Each  wa^  a  ho.-t  in  himself.  Six  of  them, 
Flaget,  Cheverus,  Dubois,  David,  Dubourg,  and  Marechal, 
afterwards  became  bishops.  The  names  of  Matignon,  Badin, 
Richards,  Ciquard,  Nagot,  Nerinckx,t  and  others,  will  be 
held  in  benediction  to  the  latest  ages. 

The  arrival  of  these  soldiers  of  the  cross  enabled  Bishop 
Carroll  to  extend  and  parly  consolidate  his  vast  diocese. 
"  The  Catholic  Church  of  the  United  States,"  wrote  the 
learned  Archbishop  Spalding,  "  is  deeply  iii<lel)ted  to  the 
zeal  of  the  exiled  French  clergy.  No  portion  of  the  Amer- 
ican Church  owes  more  to  them  than  that  of  Kentucky,  They 
supplied  our  infant  missions  with  most  of  their  earlier  and 
most  zealous  laborers,  and  they  likewise  gave  to  us  our 
iirst  bishops.  There  is  something  in  the  elasticity  and 
buoyancy  of  the  character  of  the  French  which  adapts 
them  in  a  peculiar  manner  to  foreign  missions.  They 
have  always  been  the  best  missionaries  among  the  Korth 

*  Rev.  Dr.  White. 

t  Father  Nerinckx  was  a  native  of  Belgium— a  man  of  singu- 
larly austere  and  saintly  life. 


2o6  Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 

American  Indians;  they  can  mold  tlieir  character  to 
suit  every  circnmstance  and  c!iieru;;cncy  ;  they  can  he  at 
home  and  cliecrful  cverywliere.  The  French  clergy  who 
landed  on  our  shores,  tiiough  many  of  them  had  heen  trained 
np  amid  all  the  relinements  of  poHshed  France,  could  yet 
submit  without  a  murmur  to  all  the  hardships  and  privations 
of  a  mission  on  the  frontiers  of  civilization,  c .-  in  the  very 
lieart  of  the  wilderness.  They  could  adapt  themselves  to 
the  climate,  mold  themselves  to  the  feelings  and  habits  of 
a  people  opposite  to  them  in  temperament  and  character." 

THE  cnuKcn  in  kkntucky. 

The  Church  of  Kentucky,  so  llourishi!)!'-  and  honored  in 
our  day,  had  not  one  single  member  before  the  UevolutioTi. 
This  State  was  then  the  land  of  the  "dark  and  bloody 
ground  " — the  common  battle-field  of  the  western  tribes.  No 
human  being  made  his  home  within  its  limits.  Its  st)le  in- 
habitants were  tlie  bear,  the  wolf,  the  buffalo,  and  the 
bounding  deer. 

The  first  Catholics  who  are  known  to  have  settled  in  Ken- 
tucky were  Dr.  Hart  and  William  Coomes.  Dr.  Hart  was  a 
devoted  Irish  Catholic ;  Coomes  a  worthy  native  of  old 
Maryland.  "  They  both  came,"  says  Archbishop  Spalding, 
"  in  the  spring  of  1775,  among  the  very  first  white  jieople 
who  removed  to  Kentucky."*  In  1785,  about  twenty  Cath- 
olic families  from  Maryland  went  to  reside  there  ;  and  as  time 
passed  on,  the  number  was  annually  swelled  by  new  arrivals. 
Here  was  a  choice  field  for  some  zealous  laborer.  Dr.  Cai-- 
roU  invited  the  Kev.  Mr.  Whalen,  an  Irish  Franciscan,  to 
take  charge  of  the  new  mission.  The  good  priest  at  once 
set  out  on  the  wild  and  dangerous  path  that  led  to  the  scene 
of  his  arduous  duties.  He  reached  his  destination  in  the 
spring  of  1787 — the  first  Catholic  priest  who  presseJ  the 
soil  of  Kentucky.  For  two  years  and  a  half  he  toiled 
with  a  zeal  that  never  flagged.     "  He  was  never  known  to 


*  Sketches  of  the  Early  Kentucky  Missions. 


Its  History  from   1790  /6>  1815.  207 

miss  an  appointment,  no  matter  lio\v  inclement  the  season, 
or  liow  pjreatly  ho  had  been  exlumstcd  by  previous  labors. 
Often  <lid  be  .swim  rivers,  even  in  the  dead  of  winter,  in 
order  to  reach  a  distant  station  on  the  appointed  day.  On 
these  occasi(jns,  the  vestments,  missal,  and  ornaments  of  the 
altar,  which  he  was  always  compelled  to  carry  with  him,  were 
immersed  in  the  water ;  and  he  was  under  the  necessity  of 
delaying  divine  service  until  they  could  be  dried  at  the  fire.''* 

It  is  scarcely  to  be  supposed  that  the  devoted  i)riest's 
health  could  stand  this  long.  But  travelling  and  fatigue 
were  amonjjr  the  least  of  Father  Whalen's  troubles.  He 
did  not  escape  the  hatred  and  persecution  of  bitter  secta- 
rians ;  and,  to  add  still  further  to  the  countless  ditHcul- 
ties  of  his  position,  a  fierce  war  with  the  Indians  was  then 
raging.  By  w^ay  of  New  Orleans  he  returned  to  Maryland, 
whicli  he  reached  in  1790.  Thus  ^ided  the  first  Kentucky 
mission. 

In  1703,  Father  Badin,  the  first  priest  ordained  in  the 
United  States,  was  sent  to  contimie  the  work  begim  by 
Father  AVhalen.  Leaving  Baltimore  on  foot,  with  staff  in 
hand,  the  enthusiastic  young  priest  set  out  with  one  col- 
league, and  by  almost  impassable  roads  through  a  rugged 
wilderness,  travelled  to  Pittsbui-g,  where  they  embarked  in 
a  flat-boat  with  a  company  of  emigrants  for  Kentucky.  Their 
passage  was  full  of  adventure.  On  landing  at  May ville,  the 
two  missionaries  again  started  on  foot  for  Lexington,  a  dis- 
tance of  sixty-five  miles.  This  journey  could  not  be  accom- 
])l!shed  in  one  day.  Night  came  on.  It  was  passed  in  an 
open  mill,  lodging  on  the  ii  bags  without  the  slightest 
covering,  during  a  cold  p<  A  towards  the  close  of  Novem- 
ber. Reaching  their  destination,  the  priests  commenced  their 
labors.  After  four  months,  however.  Father  Badin  found 
himself  alone,  as  his  colleague  was  glad  to  leave  Kentucky, 
Nothing  daunted,  the  youthful  apostle  fixed  his  residence 
near  the  rude  church,  and  began  his  career  of  toil.      He- 


*  Archbishop  Spalding. 


2o8  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

femii«^  tf)  tliirt  church,  Arclil)iHliop  Spakliu*^  saya,  it  "was 
a  tein]>()r!ii'y  hut,  covered  witli  claphoards,  and  \va«  iinpro- 
vi(h'd  willi  ;j:;lasrt  in  llio  windows.  A  slah  of  wood,  roughly 
hewed,  .served  for  an  altar.  Such  was  the  first  (catholic 
Churdi  in  Kentucky.''* 

After  Home  years,  two  fellow-lahorers  came  to  tlie  inde- 
fatigable Father  IJadin's  assiytance.  Or.ti  of  them,  Uev.  ^[r. 
Salmon,  died  from  the  effectH  of  oa  unhappy  accident — a 
fall  from  his  horse.  "The  aceidcfit,"  writes  Father  l>adin, 
"  happened  about  noon,  at  a  little  distance  from  a  residence. 
A  servant  wlio  found  him  half  dead  in  the  woods  went  to 
solicit  aid,  which  was  denied  him  hy  an  impious  an<l  cruel 
fanner,  simply  because  the  unfortunate  man  was  a  ])ri('Ht.  It 
was  only  towards  night  that  a  good  Catholic  of  the  neighbor- 
hood M'as  informed  of  tli^  fact." 

Referring  to  the  numljer  of  ecclosiasticals  in  the  great 
Northwest,  the  same  writer  adds — "there  were  then  but 
three  j^riests  in  an  extent  of  country  much  larger  than 
France  and  Spain  united.''  f  Such  was  Catholicity  in  the 
Mississippi  Valley  at  the  beginning  of  the  present  century. 

THE    I'RINCE-PRIEST. 

In  the  fall  of  1792,  a  young  man  of  modest  and  noble 
mien  might  be  seen  in  Baltimore.  He  had  come  to  visit 
Amei'ica,  to  study  our  institutions,  and  to  make  the  acquaint- 
ance of  Washington,  Jeiferson,  and  otlier  famous  men  of 
that  day.  He  was  a  Catholic.  A  ;l\;w  weeks'  residence  with 
Bibhop  Carroll,  made  him  faniilia^;  with  the  spiritual  wants 
of  our  young  liepublic.  This  f<:»iever  changed  the  destiny  of 
his  life.  The  young  Demetrius  Augustine  Gallitzin,  heir  of 
one  of  the  richest  and  most  ancient  houses  of  Europe,  be- 
came a  priest.  He  was  ordained  in  1795,  and  at  once  be- 
giiu  his  labors  among  the  missions  of  Pennsylvania  and 
Maryland. 


*  Sketches  of  Kentucky  Missions. 

t  Oriijine  et  Progrcs  de  ia  Mission  du  Kentucky, 


:„._L. 


Its  History  from   1 790  to  1 8 1 5.  209 


MYSTERIOUS    EVENTS    IN   VIRGINIA. 


Father  (irallitzin,  in  tlic  summer  of  1707,  was  sent  on  a 
singular  nnssion  to  Vir<j;iiiia.  Reports  of  mystenous  events, 
occuiTin^  there,  li.id  spread  over  the  country,  and  ho  was 
deputed  to  hold  au  investi<j^atioii  as  to  their  truth.  He  spent 
fi'om  8ei)tembcr  to  Christmas  in  making  a  rigid  examina- 
tion. "  No  lawyer  in  a  court  of  justice,"  he  wrote  to  a  friend, 
"did  ever  examine  and  cross-examine  witnesses  more  than  I 
did."  At  lirst,  the  young  prince-priest  placed  no  faith  hi  the 
reports ;  hut  the  more  he  investigated,  the  more  he  soon  eanio 
to  a  full  belief  in  the  truth  of  what  he  saw  and  heard. 

As  these  singular  events  are  full  of  interest  and  instnic- 
tion,  and  led  to  many  conversions,  I  venture  to  reproduce  a 
careful  and  somewhat  extended  account  of  them,  even  at  the 
risk  of  being  charged  with  devoting  too  much  space  to  what 
is  biit  an  item  in  the  histoiy  of  our  Church.  They  serve  to 
illustrate  the  famous  saying  of  St.  Thomas  Aquinas,  that,  if 
necessary,  God  would  send  an  angel  to  instruct  those  who 
sincerely  seek  the  tnie  Faith. 

"  This  occurred,"*  writes  the  latest  biographer  of  Father 
Gallitziu,  "in  Jefferson  county,  at  a  village  called  Middle- 
way,  since  changed,  on  account  of  what  there  took  place,  to 
Cliptown,  near  Martinsburg,  Virginia.  Some  seven  or  eight 
years  previously,  Mr.  Adam  l^ivingston,  a  Pennsylvanian 
by  birth,  of  Dutch  descent,  and  a  Lutheran  in  religion,  an 
honest,  industrious  f armei",  moved  with  his  large  family  from 
Pennsylvania  to  Middleway,  and  soon  acquired  a  handsome 
l)roperty  there.  He  was  kind,  generous,  and  hospitable.  It 
was  said  that  a  poor  Irish  traveller,  a  Catholic,  being  ill 
while  in  Livingston's  neighborhood,  was  taken  into  his 
house,  carefully  nursed  and  attended  through  his  last  sick- 
ness, and  properly  buried.  The  only  thing  Mr.  Livingston 
refused  to  do  for  the  sick  man,  was  to  send  for  a  priest  for 
him  ;  he  had  never  seen  oiio_,  and  in  common  with  the  gener- 


u 


w 
m 


*  S.  M.  drownson,  "  Life  of  Prince  Gallitzin." 
14 


m 


'  t 


2IO  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

ality  of  his  class,  had,  probably,  very  extraordinary  ideas  of 
Catholic  priests ;  many  actually  believed  they  were  the  living 
emissaries  of  Satan,  and  that  they  had  horns,  like  their  mas- 
ter !  Nothing,  therefore,  could  induce  any  of  the  Living- 
stons to  accede  to  the  dying  man's  entreaty  ;  and  this  through 
no  hardness  of  heart,  it  must  be  understood,  for  they  were 
all  of  kindly  disposition,  but  because  to  them  the  request 
was  absurd. 

"  Soon  after  this  death,  and  this  refusal,  Mr.  Livingston 
appeared  to  be  given  over  to  the  buffetings  of  Satan  in  good 
earnest.  His  bams  got  on  lire  and  burned  down ;  nobody 
knew  how ;  his  horses  and  cattle  died ;  his  clothing  and  that 
of  liis  family,  their  beds  and  bedding,  were  either  burned  up 
or  cut  into  strips  so  small  they  could  never  be  mended  or  put 
together  again,  generally  in  little  pieces  in  the  shape  of  a 
crescent.  Boots,  saddles,  harness,  all  shared  the  same  fate ; 
chunks  of  lire  rolled  over  the  floors  without  any  apparent 
cause;  all  conceivable  noises  tormented  their  ears;  their 
furniture  was  banged  about  at  the  most  inconvenient  times  ; 
their  crockery  dashed  to  the  floor  and  broken  to  atoms.  These 
things  deprived  them  of  sleep,  torturing  their  nerves,  and 
terrifying  their  very  souls,  very  soon  reduced  the  family  to 
the  depths  of  physical  and  mental  distress,  while  they  aroused 
the  whole  neighborhood  to  horror  and  sympathetic  advice." 
Livingston  went  far  and  wide  for  ministers  of  all  persua- 
sions, for  conjurers  of  all  kinds,  to  come  and  lay  the  devil ; 
but  the  evil  one  gave  them  the  most  inhospitable  reception, 
mingled  with  a  malice  so  minute,  and  yet  so  overpowering, 
that  '•,  actually  seemed  as  if  he  and  all  his  imps  were  laugh- 
ing au  them.  Three  men  came  from  Winchester,  in  order 
to  free  the  house  from  its  annoyances ;  but  they  no  sooner 
entered  it  than  a  huge  stone  was  seen  to  issue  from  the  fire- 
place, and  whirl  round  upon  the  floor  for  more  than  fifteen 
minutes,  when  the  gentlemen  gladly  sneaked  away.  Having 
also  applied  to  three  conjurers,  they  gave  him  some  herbs, 
a  book  ( '  Common  Pi-ayer ' ),  and  a  riddle,  b;;  way  of  catch- 
ing the  devil.     The  very  first  night,  the  book  and  herbs 


Its  History  from   1790/^  18 15.  211 

were  found  in  a  very  ignominoii.5  piece  of  chamber-furniture, 
which  was  covered  witii  the  ri(klle  !  * 

Less  meddlesome  visitors  v.ei'c  hardly  any  better  treated. 
"  One  old  Presbyterian  lady,"  says  Father  GaUitzin,  "  told  a 
company  at  a  tea-party  that  having  heard  of  the  clipping, 
to  satisfy  her  curi()^ity,  vshc  went  to  Livingston's  house ; 
liowever,  before  entering  H,  she  took  lier  new  black  ca)>  olf 
lier  head,  wra})ped  it  iip  in  her  silk  handkercliief,  and  i)ut  it 
in  her  pocket,  to  save  it  froin  l)eing  clipped.  After  a  while 
she  stepped  out  agahi  to  go  home,  and  liaving  drawn  the 
handkerchief  out  of  her  pocket,  and  opened  it,  she  found 
her  cap  cut  into  ribbands." 

In  this  hopeless  misery  Mr.  Livingston  was  permitted — 
perhaps  on  account  of  his  hospitality  to  the  poor  traveller — 
to  have  a  dream  so  remarkable  and  so  vivid  that  it  was  like 
a  vision.  He  dreamed  he  had  toiled  np  a  rugged  mountain, 
climbing  it  with  the  greatest  difficulty;  at  the  top  of  the 
mountain  he  saw  a  beautiful  church,  and  in  the  church  a 
man  dressed  in  a  style  he  had  never  seen  before.  While  he 
was  gazing  upon  this  person,  a  voice  said  to  him  :  "  This  is 
the  man  who  will  bring  you  relief."  He  related  this  dream 
to  his  wife,  and  many  other  persons,  one  of  whom  told  him 
that  the  dress  he  described  as  worn  by  the  minister  of  his 
dream,  was  precisely  like  that  worn  by  the  Catholic  priests, 
and  advised  him  to  try  one  of  them.  But  Livingston,  dis- 
couraged at  so  many  failures,  paid  little  attention  to  this  ad- 
vice, until  importuned  by  his  wife  he  made  inquiries  to  learn 
where  one  could  be  found.  Somebody  knew  of  a  Catholic 
fauiily,  named  McShei'ry,  living  near  Lectown,  where  he 
would  be  likely  to  find  one.  His  troubles  increasing,  his 
wife  entreating,  and  the  conviction  forcing  itself  into  his  own 
head  tliat  a  Catholic  priest  could  not  work  him  much  more 
evil  than  he  was  already  enduring,  induced  him  to  go  to  Mr. 
McSherrv's  and  trv.  Mrs.  McSherry  met  him  at  the  gate  of 
her  residence,  and  asked  him  his  eri'and.      lie  told  her  ho 


*  Rt'v.  Dr.  White. 


I     n 


2 1 2  CatJwlicity  in  the  United  States. 

would  like  to  see  the  ])iiest,  to  which  she  replied  that  tliere 
was  no  priest  there,  but  one  would  be  at  Shepherdstowii  to 
say  Mass  the  next  Sunday.  Mr.  Livingston  went  to  Shep- 
hcrdstown  at  the  time  she  told  him,  and  the  moment  the 
priest,  Rev.  Dennis  Cahill,  came  out  upon  the  altar  to  say 
Mass,  Mr.  Livingston  was  so  affected  that  he  cried  out  before 
the  people :  "  The  very  man  I  saw  in  my  dream  !  "  lie  re- 
mained during  the  service  in  the  greatest  agitation,  and  as 
soon  as  the  priest  had  retired  into  the  sacristy,  followed  him, 
accompanied  by  Mr.  Ivichard  McSherry,  and  an  Italian  gen- 
tleman, Mr.  MinghinI,  who  kept  a  boarding-house  at  Sul- 
phur Springs,  who  were  among  the  most  prominent  men  of 
Mr.  Cahill's  mission,  had  heard  the  exclamation,  and  knew 
somewhat  of  the  circumstances.  But  no  sooner  had  Mr. 
Livingston,  with  tears  in  his  eyes,  and  choking  in  his  throat, 
made  known  his  errand,  than  the  bluff  and  hearty  priest 
laughed  at  him,  and  told  him  his  neighbors  were  teasing 
him ;  to  go  home,  to  watch  them  closely,  and  they  would 
soon  get  tired  of  the  amusement.  The  other  gentlemen, 
however,  took  up  his  case  most  earnestly,  and  insisted  upon 
the  priest's  compliance ;  he  very  reluctantly  yielded  to  them, 
at  last,  assured  that  it  was  all  nonsense,  loss  of  time,  and  a 
very  unnecessary  journey. 

When  he  reached  the  house,  heard  and  saw  pretty  clear 
proof  of  Livingston's  story,  he  sprinkled  the  house  with  holy 
water,  at  which  the  disturbances  ceased  for  a  time  ;  and  at 
the  moment  the  priest  was  leaving,  having  one  foot  over 
the  door-sill,  a  purse  of  money  which  had  disappeared  some 
time  before  was  laid  btftween  his  feet. 

When  Father  Gallitzin  en  me,  the  disturbances  having 
recommenced,  he  inteiHled,  as  he  afterwards  related,  to 
exorcise  the  evil  8i)irits  for  good  and  all ;  but  as  he  com- 
menced, the  rattling  and  rumbling,  as  of  innumerable 
wngons,  with  which  they  tilled  the  house,  worked  so  upon 
his  nerves,  that  he  could  not  command  himself  sufficiently 
to  read  the  exorcism,  so  that  he  was  obliged  to  go  for  lie  v. 
Mr.  Cahill,  a  num  of  powerful  nerve  and  heaily  faith,  who 


Its  History  from  iy()0  to  1815.  213 


returned  with  him  to  Livingston's,  and  bidding  all  to  kneel 
down,  commanded  the  evil  spirits  to  leave  the  house  without 
doing  any  injury  to  any  one  there.  After  a  stubborn  re- 
sistance on  the  part  of  the  devil,  they  were  finally  conquered 
and  compelled  to  obey  the  priest.  Afterwards  Father 
Cahill  said  Mass  there,  and  the  trouble  ceased.  Father 
Gallitzin  carried  a  trunk  full  of  clothing  which  had  been 
cut  to  pieces  during  this  period  of  destruction,  back  to  Cone- 
wago,  where  they  have  been  seen  even  of  late  years  by 
eminent  priests,  who  have  added  their  testimony  to  the  truth 
of  these  occurrences. 

Among  the  clotlies,  however,  are  said  to  have  been  one 
or  two  garments  marked  in  quite  a  different  manner — one 
bearing  the  impress  as  of  a  hand  burnt  in  the  cloth,  the 
other  an  I.  II.  S.  made  in  the  same  manner.  For  scarcely 
had  the  Livingston  family  been  relieved  from  the  torments 
of  the  devil  than  they  were  visited  by  a  consoling  voice, 
which  remained  with  them  for  seventeen  years.  It  lias  been 
supposed  that  this  voice  came  from  some  soul  suffering  in 
purgatory,  for  some  reason  permitted  to  visit,  console,  and 
finally  to  instruct  the  family.  This  may,  perhaps,  have 
been  in  return  for  the  hospitality  shown  the  poor  Catholic 
who  died  at  their  house.  In  gratitude,  perhaps,  for  the 
relief  he  nad  received  at  the  hands  of  a  Catholic  priest,  and 
with  perfect  submission  of  his  will  to  the  trath  of  the  Church 
which  alone  could  cast  out  devils,  Mr.  Livingston  desired, 
with  a  portion  of  his  family,  to  be  made  a  member  of  it ; 
and  after  giving  them  the  rudiments  of  instruction  which 
were  absolutely  necessary,  Rev.  Mr.  Cahill  received  them 
into  the  Church.  Mrs.  Livingston  complied  with  this,  but 
she  was  never  sincerely  converted,  and  always  said  she  was 
Judas.  They  had  scarcely  ma(]e  their  profession  of  faith, 
and  heard  one  or  two  Masses,  before  a  bright  light  awoke 
Mr.  Livingston  one  night,  and  a  clear  sweet  voice  told  him 
to  aris2,  call  his  family  together,  and  to  pray.  He  did  so — 
the  hours  passed  as  a  moment,  for  the  voice  prayed  with 
them,  leading  their  j)rayers.     Then  it  spoke  to  then  in  the 


,'(tV\ 


214  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


li  !    I 

i    !! 


I   i 

!  i 


! 


i  M 
i 

'II 


most  simple,  yet  eloquent  manner,  of  all  the  great  mysteries 
of  the  Catholic  faith  to  which  they  had  assented,  and  which 
as  far  as  they  could,  vaguely  understanding  them,  they 
sincerely  and  firmly  believed.  But  now  these  tiaiths,  dimly 
guessed  at  before,  and  accepted  because  the  Church  gave 
them,  became  clear,  intelligible,  fascinating,  ever  and  ever 
more  plain  and  more  beautiful.  Among  other  things  which 
they  could  remember  to  repeat  to  others,  the  voice  said  that 
all  the  siglia  and  tears  of  the  whole  workl  were  worth 
nothing  iu  comparison  with  one  Mass  in  which  a  God  is 
offered  to  a  God.  It  exhorted  to  boundless  devotion  to 
the  Most  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  continually  implored  them 
to  pray  for  the  suffering  souls  in  purgatory,  whose  agony 
the  voice  could  never  weary  of  describing,  and  once  in 
illustration  of  their  pains,  a  burning  hand  was  impressed 
upon  some  article  of  cloihing,  directly  under  the  eyes  of  the 
family,  while  it  was  speaking.  It  also  urged  to  hospitality, 
to  simplicity  in  dress.  It  would  reprove  the  least  extrav- 
agance in  which  any  of  them  might  indulge,  and  induced 
them  to  many  voluntary  penances,  to  long,  strict  fasts,  to 
unbounded  charity,  and  to  continual  prayer.  Mr.  Living- 
ston, to  whom  the  voice  more  particularly  addressed  itself, 
was  made  its  agent  for  innumerable  works ;  he  would  be 
called  up  at  night  to  undertake  long  journeys  to  persons 
taken  suddenly  ill,  or  in  affliction,  miles  away ;  he  would 
receive  messages  without  any  explanation,  which  he  was 
enjoined  to  give  at  once  to  different  people  to  whom  they 
would  prove  of  immense  relief,  of  amazing  prophecy,  of 
timely  warning.  It  foretold  events  which  were  always 
verified,  and  explained  the  meaning  of  many  others. 

It  is  said  that  while  Father  Gallitzin  was  investigating 
these  matters,  and  was  much  concerned  if  they  were  of 
God,  or  a  delusive  spirit,  that  startling  proofs  were  given 
him  that  at  least  they  w^ere  not  of  man,  and  that  he  was 
told  of  terrible  trials,  of  slander,  persecution,  denunciation 
of  the  bitterest  deception  and  desei'tion  in  store  for  him — 
even  circumstantial  details,  so  far  from  anything  he  was 


Its  History  from  1790  /^  18 15.  215 

likely  to  meet,  that  he  could  hardly  understand,  but  did  not 
fail  to  remember  them.  Afterwards  they  were  verified  to 
the  letter.  As  the  evil  spirits  cannot  foresee  the  future,  it 
evidently  was  from  the  voice  that  he  received  the  commu- 
nication. 

Fourteen  persons  were  converted  in  one  winter  by  these 
supernatural  events,  which  were  well  known  and  widely  dis- 
cussed. Others,  influenced  by  the  account  of  them,  received 
clearer  impressions  of  the  reality  of  another  world,  of  the 
close  proximity  of  the  evil  one,  and  of  the  intimate  union 
between  the  church  militant  and  the  church  suffering,  from 
which  they  were  moved  to  the  serious  practice  of  virtue,  and 
to  endeavor  to  live  as  they  wished  to  die. 

THE   Al'OSTLE   OF   THE   ALLEGHANIES. 

Having  concluded  his  Virginia  investigations,  the  youth- 
ful Father  Gallitzin  once  more  began  his  zealous  labors  in 
the  missions  of  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania.  Full  of  zeal 
and  intensely  Catholic  in  heart  and  soul,  the  prince-priest 
was  shocked  at  the  unCatholic  spirit  thg,t  reigned  among  his 
congregations.  If  these  people  believed  in  the  doctrines 
of  the  Church,  they  would  gladly  have  her  authority  re- 
duced to  zero — if  not  further !  A  vulgar  arrogance  based  on 
ignorance  had  possession  of  not  a  few  minds.  Almost  too 
])resumptuous  to  receive  instruction,  and  too  ignorant  to  be 
humble,  they  had  lost  that  grand  and  simple  faith  which 
enables  man  to  yield  a  noble  obedience  to  God  and  religion. 
However,  what  they  lacked  in  solid  knowledge  was  abun- 
dantly supplied  by  loose  fancies  and  religious  whims  derived 
from  their  heretical  neighbors.  For  them  liberty  meant 
license,  and  all  law  was  oppression.  The  continual  inter- 
ference of  such  men,  and  their  dictation  in  Church  matters, 
were  an  abomination  to  the  apostolic  Gallitzin. 

A   BRAVE,    RELIGIOUS    IRISHMAN. 

But  not  one  of  these  mental  curiosities  and  moral  dwarfs 
was  the  bj-ave  and  good  Ca]>tain  McGuire,  an  Irish  Catholic, 


.)• 


216  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

and  a  distingiiislied  officer  of  the  Revolution.  After  the  war 
he  resided  in  Maryland ;  being  a  great  hunter,  he  often  pene- 
trated into  the  primeval  forests  of  Western  Pennsylvania, 
and  the  sound  of  his  rifle  was  frequently  echoed  by  the  most 
distant  of  the  Allcghanies.  On  the  very  summit  of  this  lofty 
range,  in  what  is  now  Cambr;a  County,  he  bought  a  large 
tract  of  country,  and  went  therewith  his  family  to  reside,  in 
1788.  The  pious  captain  lost  no  time  in  providing  for  the 
Church — for  which  his  wonderful  faith  alone  could  have 
given  him  hopes — and  generously  made  over  four  hundred 
aci'es  of  land  to  Bishop  Carroll,  who  had  just  tlien  returned 
to  the  T^nit'  '^  '  tes,  after  his  consecration.  Here  a  Catho- 
lic settlemea  ,•< ;,  began  to  form,  and  its  members  became 
urgent  in  their  requests  for  a  resident  priest. 

Marvellous  t^e  th-^  Avays  of  God !  Father  Gallitzin  had 
long  cherished  the  idea  of  founding  a  community  of  Catho- 
lic settlers  in  some  remote  spot  far  removed  from  the  busy 
haunts  of  men  and  the  contagion  of  warring  sects ;  where 
they  could  live  in  primitive  peace  and  simplicity ;  where  the 
stream  of  knowledge  would  not  bo  infected  by  the  putrid 
waters  of  vice;  and  where  religion  could  reign  as  queen ! 
He  had  once  visited  McGuire's  settlement  on  a  mission  of 
charity.  The  thought  struck  him  that  this  would  be  the 
place  to  carry  out  his  admirable  design  ;  and  when  the  good 
people  petitioned  Bishop  Carroll  for  a  priest,  they  sent  the 
letter  through  Father  Gallitzin,  begging  of  him  to  use  his 
influence  in  getting  them  one — if  possible,  to  come  himself 
among  them.  He  made  their  petition  his  own.  "  Your  re- 
quest," writes  Bishop  Carroll  to  him,  "  is  granted.  I  readily 
consent  to  your  proposal  to  take  charge  of  the  congregations 
detailed  in  your  letter ;  and  hope  that  you  will  have  a  house 
built  on  the  land  granted  by  Mr.  McGuire,  and  already  set- 
tled ;  or,  if  more  convenient,  on  your  own,  if  you  intend  to 
keep  it." 

A   FOREST  JOURNEY. 

In  the  wishes  of  these  devoted  people  and  the  sanction  of 
his  Bishop,  Father  Gallitzin  recognized  the  call  of  God.    He 


Its  History  from   1790  /t?   1815.  217 


ueen 


\ 


resolved  in  the  midst  of  this  Catholic  nucleus  to  establish  a 
permanent  colony,  which  he  destined  in  his  mind  as  the 
centre  of  his  missions.  Several  poor  Maryland  families, 
whose  affections  he  had  won,  determined  to  follow  him  ;  and, 
in  the  summer  of  1799,  he  took  up  his  line  of  march.  From 
Maryland  they  travelled  with  their  faces  turned  to  the  ranges 
of  the  Alleghany  Mountains.  It  was  a  rough  and  trying 
journey.  The  patient  travellers  hewed  their  way  through 
primitive  forests,  burdened  at  the  same  time  with  all  their 
worldly  goods.  As  soon  as  the  small  caravan  had  reached 
its  new  home,  Gallitzin  took  possession  of  this,  as  it  were, 
conquered  land.  Without  loss  of  time  all  the  settlers  ad- 
dressed themselves  to  the  work  before  them,  and  toiled  s^o 
zealously  tluit  Iioi'ore  the  end  of  the  year  they  had  a  church 
erected. 

THE   FIRST   MIDNIGHT   MASS    ON   THE   ALLEGHANIES. 

"  Out  of  the  clearings  of  these  untrodden  forests,"  writes 
Father  Lemcke,  "  rose  up  two  buildings,  constructed  out  of 
the  trunks  of  roughly-hewn  trees  ;  of  these  one  was  intended 
for  a  church — the  other  a  presbytery  for  their  pastor.  On 
Christmas  eve  of  the  year  1799,  there  was  not  a  winking  eye 
in  the  little  ( olony.  And  well  there  might  not  be !  The 
new  church,  decked  with  pine  and  laurel  and  ivy  leaves,  and 
blazing  with  such  lights  as  the  scant  means  of  the  faithful 
could  afford,  was  awaiting  its  consecration  to  the  worship  of 
God !  There  Gallitzin  offered  up  the  first  Mass,  to  the  great 
edification  of  his  flock,  that  although  made  up  of  Catholics, 
had  never  witnessed  such  a  solemnity ;  and  to  the  great 
astonishment  of  a  few  Indians,  who  had  never  in  their  lives 
dreamed  of  such  a  pageantry.  Thus  it  was  that  on  a  spot  in 
which,  scarcely  a  year  previous,  silence  had  reigned  over  vast 
solitudes,  a  prince  thenceforward  cut  off  from  every  other 
country,  had  opened  a  new  one  to  pilgrims  from  all  nations, 
and  that  from  the  wastes  which  echoed  no  sounds  but  the 
bowlings  of  the  wild  beast,  there  went  up  the  divine  song, 
Gloria  in  Excclsis  Deo^  -^    Thus  began  that  glorious  Catho- 

*  "LifeofGallitz'.n." 


!   II 


2i8  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

lie  settlement  in  western  Pennsylvania,  which  was  destined 
to  grow  and  flourish  like  a  beautiful  mountain  flower  in  the 
midst  of  the  wilderness  I 


PROGKESS   OF   THE   FAITH. 

AVith  joy  Bishop  Carroll  beheld  the  rapid  extension  of 
the  faith.  His  heart  was  glad,  but  his  zeal  was  sorely 
taxed.  In  vain  did  he  make  long  and  rapid  pastoral  visits. 
His  immense  diocese  defied  all  single  efforts  to  traverse  it. 
llo  represented  the  religious  wants  of  the  country  to  the 
Holy  See,  and  Pius  VI.  appointed  Father  Leonard  Neale 
as  liis  coadjutor.  In  IbOO,  Father  Xeale  was  consecrated, 
at  Baltimore,  Bishoj)  of  Gortyna  in  partihua. 

In  1803,  Boston  witnessed  a  solemn  ceremony,  such  as  it 
had  never  seen  before.  Bishop  Carroll  dedicated  its  first 
Catholic  place  of  worship — the  Church  of  the  Holy  Cross. 
The  edifice  measured  eighty  feet  in  length,  and  sixty  in 
width,  was  of  the  Ionic  order,  and  fronted  on  Franklin 
Squai'e.  Its  entire  cost  was  $20,000.*  This  early  monu- 
ment of  Catholic  zeal  and  generosity  in  New  England  was 
raised  by  the  apostolic  efforts  of  Rev.  Drs.  Matignon  and 
Cheverus — names  as  imperishable  as  the  American  Church 
itself. 

PIONEERS    OF   RELIGION. 

Like  the  immortal  Indian  missionaries  of  a  former  age, 
zealous  priests  now  traversed  this  vast  country,  carrying 
hope  and  consolation  along  their  pathways,  and  terrified 
neither  by  bigotiy,  wild  beasts,  nor  the  unbroken  wilderness 
that  often  stretched  around  them.  They  carried  the  faith 
into  Kentucky.  The  sound  of  their  footsteps  might  be 
heard  in  the  forests  of  Maine.  Through  the  almost  track- 
less wilds  of  Indiana,  Ohio,  and  Michigan,  some  lone  stand- 
ard-bearer of  the  Cross  might  be  seen  wending  his  solitary 
way.  And  when  a  clergyman  reached  one  of  those  out-of- 
the-way  settlements,  what  joy  accompanied  his  reception ! 


♦Father  Fitton  :  "  Sketches  of  the  Church  in  Now  England." 


Its  History  from  1790/^  18 15.  219 

This  was  especially  the  case  in  siicli  localities  as  were  inhab- 
ited by  the  warm-hearted  children  of  Ireland.  The  brave 
and  resolute  priest  who  ventured  to  seek  them  out  in  their 
scattered  and  isolated  homes  was  received  like  an  emperor 
by  his  subjects.  How  the  news  would  travel  for  miles 
through  the  woods  was  always  a  mystery,  but  it  never 
lagged !  Long  before  day-break,  through  dangerous  passes 
and  over  unbroken  ways,  the  pioneers  would  come  once 
again  to  roll  off  the  burden  ot  their  sins  and  sorrows.  In 
the  one  room  of  the  cabin,  which  served  all  purposes,  an 
altar  would  bo  constructed  of  rudest  materials,  the  priest's 
saddle-bags  unpacked,  and  Mass  said  with  the  same  cere- 
mony and  the  same  efficacy,  as  if  the  tall  trees,  standing 
straight  and  stem  about  the  door,  were  marble  columns,  and 
the  blue  sky  far  overhead  were  an  old-timed  Gothic  arch. 

The  work  of  Mass  and  confession  over,  the  good  priest 
would  turn  his  attention  to  the  little  ones.  Some  were  bap- 
tized, others  instructed.  He  made  sure,  at  least,  that  the 
larger  children  were  well  taught  at  home.  He  would  stay 
fifteen  days,  perhaps,  in  one  place ;  a  month  in  another,  ac- 
cording to  the  number  of  inhabitants.  His  visit  was 
crowned  by  the  first  communion  of  the  children.  Then 
the  man  of  God,  with  a  last  blessing  on  his  weeping  flock, 
disappeared  for  a  whole  year.  And  when  the  apparition  so 
long  desired,  but  so  transitory,  had  passed,  it  left  behind  a 
halo  of  superhuman  glory,  which  seemed  to  those  pious 
people  the  glory  rather  of  a  prophet  than  of  an  ordinary 
man.  Thus  the  words  of  the  celebrated  Cure  d'Ars — 
"  When  the  saints  pass,  God  passes  with  them " — were 
never  more  truly  felt,  or  more  beautifully  verified,  than  in 
the  back-woods  of  America ! 


DARK   PICTURES    AND   LIVELY   LETTERS. 

But  a  glimpse  at  another  side  of  the  picture  may  be  both 
interesting  and  instnictive.  Occasionally,  the  missionary 
was  not  without  some  eccen*-ric  points  of  character,  which 
wci'e  not  by  any  means  smoothed  down   by  his  sufferings 


if 


'X     I 


2 20  Catholicity  in  the   United  States, 

and  privations  amid  a  rude  8o:^iety.  This  but  added  to  his 
trials.  And  it  might  almost  be  questioned  if  Job  himself 
endured  more  than  the  poor  settlers  and  their  equally  poor 
priest. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Whalen  was  stationed  in  western  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  had  nearly  completed  a  log  church. 
Writing  to  Bishop  CaiToll,  in  1795,  he  says :  "  Your  rever- 
ence can  have  no  conception  of  ray  distress  here,  even  for 
the  necessaries  of  life ;  for  really  I  have  not  anything  like 
a  sufficiency  of  food  such  as  I  get,  and  indeed  poor  and 
filthy  it  is.  Most  of  the  Irish,  who,  though  poor,  were  by 
far  the  most  generous,  have  now  quit  this  settlement;  five 
or  six  German  families  alone  remain,  who.se  chaplain  I 
may  call  myself,  since  I  cannot  pretend  to  travel  for  want 
of  a  horse ;  and  these  people,  indeed — abstraction  made  of 
religion — are  the  last  of  all  mankind  for  sentiments  of  human- 
ity. The  poor  man  I  live  with  is  not  paid  what  was  prom- 
ised for  my  board,  and — whether  he  intends  it  or  not — he 
treats  me  accordingly.  Perhaps  he  can't  help  it.  Bread  is 
the  sole  support  of  his  family.  Morning,  noon,  and  night, 
flour  and  water,  or  bread  and  water,  with  a  little  burnt 
grease  thrown  over,  is  the  support  of  his  starved  and  almost 
perfectly  naked  family.  Since  my  arrival,  the  only  meat 
we  had  was  a  little  pig,  about  twenty  or  thirty  pounds,  and 
a  calf  ten  days  old,  of  which  we  have  eat  this  whole  week — 
till  it  became  musty  and  green  for  want  of  salt.  When  I 
arrived  first,  they  had  about  a  dozen  of  hens,  of  which  I 
must  have  eaten  eight,  as  they  still  have  four.  .  .  .  Thus 
have  I  spent  five  months  of  a  very  rigorous  Lent,  that 
threw  me  into  a  diarrhoea,  that  in  such  wretchedness  and 
cold,  made  me  pass  a  most  penitential  winter." 

That  the  priest  often  encountered  a  rough  set  of  people — 
white  savages — the  following  letter  will  bear  ample  testi- 
mony, as  the  reverend  writer  "  knew  whereof  he  spoke." 
It  was  written  from  Milltown,  Pa.,  in  the  winter  of  1799. 
This  priest  informs  Bishop  Carroll  that  he  possessed  a  large 
tract  of  land,  some  twenty  miles  from  Milltown,  and  had 
placed  his  sister,  a  nun,  on  it,  allotting  her  and  her  Order 


Its  History  from  lycfO  to  1815. 


221 


-a.  >' 


five  hundred  acres.  He  requests  the  Bishop  to  send  him, 
in  tlie  Bpi"iiii»-,  '*  twcnt}'  Munstcr  or  Connan<>:lit  men,  and  if 
tliey  are  poor,  I'll  pay  them  as  mucli  a  year  or  a  day  as  any 
other  gentleman  in  the  country,  provided  they  arc  Catholics, 
heeause  there  ai  plenty  of  other  descriptions  here  already; 
but  I  don't  approve  of  it.  Thus  you  will  free  me  from  a 
reprobated  clan  of  infamous  Scotch-Irish^  superior  in  all 
kinds  of  wickedness — only  ii.  a  superlative  degree — to  the 
most  vile  celebrated  convicts.  .  .  .  What  a  holy  relief  it 
is  for  me  to  be  so  soon  reprieved  from  such  a  degraded 
dragooning  group  of  infectious  reptiles !  This  before  I 
would  not  mention  to  you,  until  I  could  be  settled,  in  dread 
you  might  suppose  interested  views  might  oblige  me  to  ex- 
aggerate in  my  reports.  It's  as  good  as  a  farce  to  hear,  that 
since  I  came  back,  in  consequence  of  the  cold,  I  am  dis- 
lodged from  my  spring  house,  and  oblige<l  to  turn  into  the 
pig-sty — that  is,  the  poor,  honest  man's  own  house,  which  is 
worse  than  can  be  described  in  the  old  German  style,  where 
cats,  young  dogs,  and  young  fowls,  both  men  and  their  wives, 
sons  and  daughters,  we  all  in  one  store-room  comfortably 
kennel  together ;  but  what  is  more  humorous  is,  that  I  am 
kept  in  pledge,  in  this  sweet-scented  situation,  for  my  quar- 
ter's diet  and  lodging." 

As  the  head  of  a  vast  diocese,  Dr.  Carroll  was  the  recipient 
of  many  a  singular  application  for  employment  from  eccle- 
siastical adventurers.  In  1797,  a  clergyman  writes  to  the 
Bishop  from  Naples  :  "  The  pui-port  of  my  troubling  your 
lordship  is  no  other  than  that,  as  being  informed  that  there 
is  a  scarcity  of  horses,  in  your  new-found  world,  to  cultivate 
the  vineyard  of  the  Lord,  should  your  lordship  be  under  the 
deplorable  necessity  of  supplying  the  defect  by  employing 
even  asses,  I  should  most  humbly  offer  myself  for  one, 
though  I  can  boast  of  nothing  to  recommend  me  for  so  sub- 
lime a  function,"  etc.* 

*  For  the  above  unique  specimens  of  epistolary  correspondence, 
1  am  indebted  to  Rev.  Dr.  Wliite's  "  Sketcli  of  tiie  Cliureh  in  the 
United  States,"  appendix  of  Abbf'  Darras'  "General  History  of 
the  Catholic  Church.' 


I  1 


:IM     |l 


<       ' 


22  2  Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 

IMMIOHATION. 

Scarcely  had  tlic  nineteenth  century  dawned,  when  the 
great  tide  of  immigration  ])ei]fan  to  set  in  for  tlic  Hhores  of 
the  New  World.  If  the  Freiicli  Itevolution  caused  many 
distinguished  men,  both  clerical  and  lay,  to  cast  their  lot  in 
our  land,  the  Irish  Kebellion  of  170S,  and  its  fatal  termina- 
tion, likewise  forced  thousands  of  "  Exiles  of  Erin"  to  seek 
their  fortunes  in  some  clime  more  favored  than  their  own 
unhappy  Isle.  For  them  the  United  Slates  had  a  mysterious 
attraction.  The  star  of  destiny  guided  their  course  west- 
ward. With  brave,  but  sad  hearts,  they  departed  from  the 
land  of  their  sires,  carrying  with  them  the  inestimable  gift 
of  an  imperishable  faith.  If  the  chivalrous  son  of  Erin  cast 
one  last  lingering  look  behin.d,  it  was  to  bless  the  sacred 
shores  fading  fntm  his  view,  and  to  commit  his  future  to 
God  and  the  Most  Blessed  Virgin.  Like  Galvin,  his  warm 
feelings  often  found  vent  in  some  sweet  lyric. 

"  Upon  tho  deck  with  longing 

I  watched  tho  lonely  main, 
And  on  my  fate  I  ponder, 

And  muse  in  doubt  and  pain. 
To  thee  I  yield  my  fortunes, 

O  Holy  Maid  above  ! 
Adieu,  my  own  dear  country — • 

Adieu,  thou  land  of  love  ! 

'*  Far  in  the  western  waters 

The  red  sun  hides  its  light. 
And  now  at  last  'tis  buried 

Beneath  the  billows'  might; 
The  roaring  sea  announces 

Tho  weary  day's  decline. 
Adieu,  beloved  country. 

Adieu,  thou  land  of  mine  ! " 

To  prepare  the  country  for  these  Catholic  new-comers, 
taxed  the  energies  of  Bishop  Carroll  and  his  scattered  clergy. 
Spreading  themselves  over  the  vast  area  of  the  Union,  the 
immigrants  found  at  numerous  points  the  veteran  missiona- 


:^l| 


Its  History  from   1790/6?  1815.  223 

ries — chiofly  Frciu-li  Jind  Irish — vlio  had  l)ocn  tried  hy  the 
pains  of  persecution  and  the  lahoi-s  of  the  apostleship.  P>e- 
foro  this  ^reat  hinnan  tide,  the  priests  were  like  tlie  priini- 
tivo  rocks,  wliich  arrested  and  fixed  lifcolos^ical  deposits. 
Around  them  the  Catholic  part  of  the  tossing  Hood  invaria- 
bly settled.  At  first,  it  was  a  few  huts,  tlien  a  village,  and 
linally  a  city.  Tn  perusing  the  early  annals  of  our  Church, 
it  is  consoling  to  learn — amid  examples  of  backsliding  and 
wrecks  of  faith — of  the  lovo  and  harmony  which  subsisted 
between  the  French  pastor  and  his  Irish  flock.  Of  them,  as 
of  the  primitive  Christians,  it  might  bo  said  :  "  See  how  they 
love  one  another  !  " 


FOUR   NKW    SEES. 

On  account  of  the  vast  stream  of  imnngration,  the  Church 
grew  rapidly  in  numbers.  In  1807,  the  Catholics  of  New 
York  City  numbered  about  14,000.  Seventeen  years  l)efore 
they  were  set  down  at  less  than  one  hundred!  It  was  re- 
garded as  something  marvelous,  when,  in  1808,  six  priests 
were  ordained  in  one  day,  which,  writes  Dr.  Carroll,  was  "  a 
happy  day  for  the  diocese."  In  view  of  this  increase,  the 
Sovereign  Pontiff  deemed  it  expedient  to  raise  Baltimore  to 
the  rank  t)f  a  Metropolitan  See  with  four  suffragan  bishoj)- 
rics — New  York,  Philadelphia,  Boston,  and  Bardstown, 
Kentucky.  The  llev.  Michael  Egan,  O.S.F.,  was  appointed 
to  Philadelphia ;  Kev.  John  Cheverus,  to  Boston ;  and  Rev. 
Benedict  Flaget,  S.S.S.,  to  Bardstown.  They  were  all  con- 
secrated by  Archbishop  Carroll,  at  Baltimore,  in  the  autumn 
of  1810.  The  llev.  Luke  Concanen,  O.S.D.,  appointed  for 
Kew  York,  was  consecrated  at  Kome  ;  but  he  died  at  Naples 
on  the  eve  of  embarking  for  his  diocese.  At  this  time  there 
Avere  about  seventy  priests  and  eighty  churches  in  the  United 
States,  with  a  Catholic  population  of  prolwibly  one  hundred 
and  fifty  thousand.*  Of  the  five  prelates,  one  was  an  Ameri- 
can, two  were  French,  and  two  Irish. 


4 1 


*  Rev.  Dr.  White. 


^f 


!   t 


'I: 


224  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

PKINOirAL    EVENTS    TO   T^E   DEATH    OF   ARCHBISnOP   CAEROLL. 

While  Ciitliolicitv  maintained  its  onward  course,  it  was 
not  witiiout  troubles  and  difficulties.  Foes  there  were  with- 
out, and  traitors  within.  Among  the  worst  enemies  of  the 
Church  were  her  unprincipled  and  rebellious  children. 
"  Scandals  must  come,"  said  our  Divine  Lord.  The  Ameri- 
can Church  had  her  share  of  them.  Here,  it  is  a  priest  who 
forgets  the  duties  of  his  sacred  calling,  disgraces  himself, 
and  disedilies  the  faitlif  ul ;  there,  it  is  a  number  of  church 
trustees — laymen  who  defy  their  bishop,  who  insult  him, 
and  who  would  fain  persuade  the  world  that  arrogance  and 
insane  obstinacy  are  cardinal  virtues  ! 

It  was  especially  the  mitre  of  Bishop  Egan,  an  humble, 
modest  man,  that  was  thickly  set  with  thorns.  Ilis  gentle 
nature  was  unequal  to  the  difficulties  of  his  contest  with  the 
trustees  of  his  cathedral,  in  Philadelphia  ;  and  in  1814,  he 
died,  broken-hearted.  In  the  words  of  Dr.  England,  his 
"  few  years  of  administration  were  years  of  difficulty." 

I>y  the  death  of  Bishop  Concanen,  the  see  of  New  York 
remained  vacant  for  several  years,  as  the  illustrious  Pius 
YII.  was  a  prisoner  in  the  hands  of  Napoleon,  and  unable 
to  make  a  new  appointment.  In  this  state  of  affairs,  Arch- 
bishop Carroll  deputed  Fathers  Kohlman  and  Fenwick, 
^>.J.,  to  administer  the  spiritual  aff.iirs  of  that  diocese. 

THE    SEAL    OF   CONFESSION. 

It  was  during  the  ministry  of  these  Jesuit  Fathers  in  the 
city  of  New  York,  that  an  event  occurred  which  excited  a 
good  deal  of  interest  at  the  time,  and  led  to  a  decision  of 
much  importance  to  the  Catholic  community.  Restitution 
had  been  made  to  a  man  named  James  Keating,  through  the 
Kev.  Father  Kohlman,  of  certain  goods  which  had  been 
stolen  from  him.  Keating  had  previously  made  a  complaint 
against  one  Phillips  and  his  wife  as  having  received  the 
g.iods  thus  stolen,  and  they  were  indicted  for  a  misde- 
meanor before  tho  justices  of  the  peace.     Keating  having 


Its  History  from  1790/^7  18 [5.  225 

afterwards  stated  that  the  goods  had  heen  restored  to  him 
through  Father  Kohhiian,  the  latter  was  cited  before  the 
court,  and  required  to  give  evidence  in  regard  ti^  the  per- 
sons from  whom  re  had  received  them.  He  refused,  on  the 
ground  that  no  court  could  require  a  priest  to  give  evidence 
in  regard  to  matters  known  to  him  only  under  the  seal  of 
the  confessional.  The  Jesuit  was  summoned  before  a  court 
composed  of  the  mayor  of  the  city,  the  recorder,  and  two 
aldermen.  The  case  was  thoroughly  argued,  and  the  deci- 
sion given  in  favor  of  Father  Kohlmau.  "  The  Catholics 
are  protected  by  the  laws  and  (jonstitution  of  this  country 
in  the  full  and  free  exercise  of  their  religion,"  said  De  Witt 
Clinton,  the  mayor,  "  and  this  court  can  never  countenance 
or  authorize  the  application  of  insult  to  their  faith,  or  of  tor- 
ture to  their  consciences."* 

On  Ascension-day,  1815,  St.  Patrick's  cathedral,!  Mul 
berry  street,  was  dedicated.  The  ceremony  was  performed 
by  Dr.  Cheverus,  Bishop  of  Boston,  while  the  mayor  and 
aldermen  of  the  city  took  part  in  the  procession. 

In  1803  the  United  States  purchased  Louisiana  from 
France,  and  the  American  Church  was  increased  by  the  ad- 
dition of  the  diocese  of  New  Orleans.  This  city,  in  1793, 
had  been  erected  into  an  episcopal  see,  and  Dr.  Penalaver 
took  charge.  At  the  date  of  fiurchase  by  the-  United  States 
Government,  the  see  was  vacant,  and  continued  so  for  a 
long  time.  Pius  YII.  directed  Dr.  Carroll  to  administer 
its  ecclesiastical  affairs.  He  at  once  deputed  one  of  his 
most  prudent  priests  as  his  representative,  clothing  him  with 
the  powers  of  vicar-general.  But  the  absence  of  episcopal 
authority,  or  the  contentions  which  arose  on  the  subject  of 
jurisdiction  gave  birth  to  the  most  lamentable  discords  in  the 

*Bayley'8  "History  ol  the  Catholic  Church  in  N.  Y."  The 
principle  onibodicd  in  this  famous  decision  afterwards  became  a 
law  of  the  State  of  New  York. 

t  It  was  named  St.  Patrick's  at  the  suggestion  of  Archbishop 

Carroll,  when  the  corner-stone  was  laid  in  1809.     At  late  as  1820, 

it  was  quite  in  the  fields,  surrounded  by  woods.     One  day  a  fox 

was  caught  in  the  churchyard.—"  History  of  the  Church  in  N.Y." 

15 


226         Catholicity  in   the  United  States, 

church  of  New  Orleans — discords  which  continued  for  many 
years,  and  w^re  productive  of  the  greatest  scandals.*    . 

1)E.VTH   OF   ARCHBISHOP  CAEROLL. 

A  quarter  of  a  century  had  rolled  by  since  Dr.  Carroll  was 
created  Bishop,  and  appointed  ecclesiastical  ruler  of  this 
Republic.  God  had  blessed  his  labors.  Under  his  watch- 
ful care  the  Church  of  the  United  States  had  reached  a 
point  in  numbers  and  prosperity  as  unexpected  as  it  was 
encouraging.  "When  his  episcopate  began,  the  countiy  was 
without  religious  orders,  or  educational  establishments. 
Now,  there  was  a  great  change.  Chiefly  by  his  exertions 
the  Jesuits,  Sulpitiaus,  Augustinians,  Dominicans,  Carmel- 
ites, Visitation  Nuns,  Sisters  of  Charity,  and  others  had 
planted  themselves  in  the  soil,  and  were  growing  up  like 
beautiful  vines  about  the  tree  of  the  Church.  The  United 
States  was  an  ecclesiastical  province  with  its  bishops,  an 
increasing  body  of  clergy,  and  a  Catholic  population  num- 
bering over  two  hundred  thousand.  In  the  midst  of  these 
happy  circumstances  God  called  away  his  faithful  servant. 
At  the  ripe  old  age  of  eighty-one,  on  December  3d,  1815, 
departed  Dr.  Carroll,  equally  illustrious  as  a  man,  as  a  Cath- 
olic, as  a  patriot,  as  a  Jesuit,  as  a  Bishop,  as  an  Archbishop, 
and  as  the  Father  and  Founder  of  the  American  Church. 


♦  Rev.  Dr.  C.  I.  White. 


I  1 


ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL,* 

Tlie  Patriarch  of  the  American  Church. 
"  As  the  sitn  when  it  shlueth,  eo  did  ho  ehlne  In  the  Temple  of  God."~EccLES. 

John  Carroll  was  born  in  Maryland,  on  the  8th  of  January, 
1735.  His  father,  Daniel  Carroll,  belonged  to  a  distinguished 
Irish  family  ;  while  his  mother,  Eleanor  Darnall,  was  a  native 
of  Maryland, and  the  daughter  of  a  wealthy  Catholic  gentleman. 
His  first  education  was  obtained  at  a  private  boarding-school, 
kept  by  the  Jesuits  of  the  province  ;  here,  himself  and  his  illus- 
trious cousin,  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton,  were  entered  as 
scholars,  in  1747.  In  the  following  year,  they  \\  ^re  sent  to  Europe 
to  continue  their  studies  at  the  Jesuit  College  of  St.  Omers, 
France.  Piety,  close  application,  brilliant  talents,  and  amiable 
deportment  were  the  most  marked  characteristics  of  young  Car- 
roll's college  career. 

He  entered  the  novitiate  of  the  Society  of  Jesus  in  1753,  made 
his  course  of  philosophy  and  divinity  at  Liege,  and  was  elevated 
to  the  priesthood  in  his  twenty-fifth  year.  Nobly  taking  the 
cross  as  his  portion,  he  nmde  over  his  patrimony  to  his  brothers 
and  sisters  in  America.  For  several  years  Father  Carroll  filled 
the  professor's  chair  in  various  colleges  ;  and,  ir^  1771,  vras  re- 
ceived as  a  professed  Father  in  the  Society. 

By  the  brief,  Dominus  aeRcdemptor,  the  Society  was  suppressed 
in  1773.  Father  Carroll  deplored  the  blow,  but  in  common  with 
the  other  members  of  his  illustrious  order,  he  submitted  as  only 
ji  Christian  could  do  —with  sublime  resignation.  In  a  letter  to 
Ills  brother,  Daniel  Carroll, t  after  (expressing  his  grief  of  heart, 
he  says  :  "  (Jod's  holy  will  be  done,  and  may  Ills  name  be  blessed 
foreoer  and  foremr.''''  He  now  proceeded  to  England,  where  ho 
received  the  appointment  of  chaplain  to  Lord  Arundel,  and  took 
up  his  residence  at  Wardour  Castle.  When  the  quarrel  between 
(ireat  Britain  and  America  began  to  approach  a  crisis.  Father 
Carroll  at  once  took  sides  with  his  own  country. 

Bidding  adieu  to  his  friends  and  companions,  he  sailed  from 


• '  I 


*  Chiefly  from  Dr.  R.  H.  Clarke's  "  Lives  of  the  Deceased  Bishops  of  the 
L'nited  Stiites,"  Vol.  I. 

+  Daniel  CarroH  was  one  of  the  authors  of  tlic  (/oniititiition  of  the  Utiitfd  States, 
and  one  of  the  three  delo!,^atos  fmm  Maryland  whose  names  are  subscribed 
thereto.  "  On  what  was  once  his  farm  by  the  Potomac,"  saya  McGce,  "the 
Nation.d  Capitol  now  stinds." — "C.itliolio  History  of  North  America." 

(227) 


1; 


228  Catholicity  in  the    United  States. 

England,  and  reached  his  native  land  in  June,  1774,  His  first 
impulse  was  to  vi.sit  his  venerable  mother  and  devoted  sisters, 
with  the  J'ormer  oi"  whom  ho  took  up  his  residence  at  Rouk  Creek. 
Here,  at  first,  a  room  in  the  family  dwelling  and  subsequently  a 
wooden  chapel,  were  the  scenes  of  the  holy  priest's  ministerial 
ofBccs.  The  wooden  chapel  has  since  been  superseded  by  a  neat 
brick  church,  which  is  now  well  known  under  the  revered  name 
of  CanolVs  Chapel. 

At  the  time  of  Father  Carroll's  arrival  in  America  there  was 
not  one  public  Catholic  church  in  Maryland.  Under  the  family 
roof  only  could  the  holy  sacrifice  be  oflfered  up  to  the  Almighty. 
This  explains  why  the  old  Catholic  chapels  of  Maryland  con- 
tain largo  hearths  and  fireplaces  within  them,  and  massive 
brick  chimneys  projecting  through  the  roofs.  In  the  once  beau- 
tifully named  "Land  of  the  Sanctuary"  there  were  then  onlj- 
nineteon  Catholic  clergymen — all  ex-Jesuits.* 

Father  Carroll  continued  to  reside  at  Rock  Creek.  He  did  not 
wish  to  leave  his  aged  mother,  to  whose  declining  years  he  was 
anxious  to  minister.  His  missionary  labors  were  chiefly  per- 
formed in  the  neighboring  country.  He  always  travelled  on  horse- 
back, nuxking  long  and  frequent  journeys  to  distant  Catholic 
families  and  settlements,  riding  frequently  thirty  miles  or  more 
to  sick  calls  and  paying  monthly  visits  to  a  small  congregation 
of  Cn' holies  in  Stafford  Countj",  Virginia,  which  was  distant 
fifty  or  sixty  miles  from,  his  home.t 

After  about  eighteen  mouths  thus  spent  in  the  active  duties 
of  the  holy  ministry,  the  call  of  his  country  sunmioned  Father 
Carroll  to  her  service.  Open  war  raged  between  England  and 
the  thirteen  colonies.  The  hopes  of  a  settlement  had  vanished, 
and  for  tiio  first  time  was  heard  the  magic  sound  of  the  word 
Independence.    To  gain  the  active  assistance  of  the  Canadians, 


'J      f 


*  Col.  B.  U.  Campbell,  in  liis  "  Life  and  Times  of  Archbishop  Carroll,"  gives 
the  names  and  rcsideneos  of  these  Maryland  priests.  As  to  nationality,  it  ap- 
pears that  fifteen  of  them  were  natives  of  Maryland,  three  Englishmen,  and 
ono  a  UclRian. 

t  'I'here  was  only  one  little  8i)()t  in  Virginia  where  the;>ewa^  code  did  not  rule. 
Forininj^,  as  it  did,  a  rcinnrkablu  exception,  it  deserves  a  word  of  notice.  This 
little  8i)ot,  consecrated  to  religious  freedom,  was  in  Stafford  County,  and  wag 
called  Wouustock.  The  inhabitants  were  vested  with  the  right  of  freely  exer- 
cising their  religion,  by  a  special  grant  under  the  royal  signet  of  James  II. 
Captain  (Jcorge  Brent  was  the  leader  of  this  band  of  Cntholic  pilgrims,  in  Vir- 
ginia, iu  168(5,  two  of  whose  descendants  were  married  to  Anne  and  Eleanor 
Carroll,  sisters  of  Rev.  Mr.  Carroll,  at  the  time  of  his  missionary  visits  to  Staf- 
ford, iu  l775-'6. 


Its  History  from   1790/^  181 5. 


229 


there  v;as 
;he  family 
Almighty, 
yrland  con- 
d  massive 
oTice  beau- 
tben  only 

He  did  not 
3ar8  he  was 
chiody  per- 
edonhorse- 
,nt  Catholic 
liles  or  more 
ongrego-tion 
was  distant 


^  Carroll,"  gives 
.  tiouallty,  it  ap- 
Eiiglishmcn,  and 

■ode  did  not  rule. 
1  of  notice.  This 
County,  and  was 
ht  of  freely  excr- 
rnet  of  Jartiea  II. 
pUf!;rlnis,  in  Vlr- 
ainc  and  Eleanor 
,ary  visits  to  Staf- 


or  at  least  to  secure  their  neutrality,  was  of  the  highest  im- 
portance. We  have  already  spoken  of  the  American  embassy, 
coniposcd  of  Dr.  Franklin,  Samuel  Chase,  and  Charles  Carroll 
of  CarroUton,  sent  by  Congress  in  177G  to  accomplish  this 
object.  Father  John  Carroll  was  earnestly  requested  to  accom- 
pany them,  "it  being  supposed  that  from  his  religious  senti- 
ments, character,  and  knowledge  of  the  French  language,  his 
presence  and  counsels  might  be  useful  in  promoting  the  objects 
of  the  mission  with  the  Canadians."*  He  acceded  to  the  request 
of  Congress.  While  on  the  way,  Dr.  Franklin  fell  sick,  and  his 
reverend  companion  nursed  him  with  true  devotedness.  Indeed 
the  priest  and  the  philosopher  contracted  a  sincere  friendship, 
as  we  lind  from  the  grateful  letters  of  Franklin.  "As  to  myself," 
he  wrote,  "I  grew  daily  more  feeble,  and  I  think  I  could  hardly 
have  got  along  so  far  but  for  Mr.  Carroll's  friendly  assistance 
and  tender  care  of  me."  Franklin,  as  we  have  seen,  did  not 
forget  the  patriotic  Jesuit,  when  a  Bisliop  was  wanted  for  the 
United  States.  The  failure  of  the  embassy,  the  reader  hns 
already  learned, 

On  returning  to  Rock  Creek,  Father  Carroll  resumed  the 
duties  of  the  sacred  ministry,  which  he  continued  to  perform 
uninterruptedly  during  the  entire  Revolutionary  War. 

Throughout  the  great  struggle  he  warmly  sympathized  with 
the  cause  of  Independence.  In  his  correspondence  he  explained 
and  defended  its  principles.  His  fervent  prayers  were  for  ity 
success;  and  no  citizen  of  the  Repi^blic  saw  with  greater  joy  the 
glorious  consummation  of  the  contest. 

In  1781,  his  powers  as  a  controversialist  were  summoned  into 
service.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Wharton,  his  former  friend  and  fellow- 
member  of  the  Society  of  Jesus,  had  apostatized  from  the 
Catholic  faith,  and  wrote  a  public  letter  attacking  its  principles. 

Tlie  original  document  by  wliich  James  II.  conferred  this  singular  privilege — 
sinsiular  at  tliat  time — on  Woodstock  is  given  by  Dr.  Clarke  in  his  Memoir  of 
Arr/ibiahop  Carroll,  "The  Metropolihin."  Vol.  IV.  Also,  in  his  "Lives  of 
tlic  Deceased  Bishops,"  Vol.  I. 

For  a  hundred  years,  in  the  midst  of  perils,  this  brave  little  band  of  jCatho- 
lies  rigUUy  adhered  to  their  religion.  Tliey  were  occasionally  visited  by  priests 
from  .Maryland,  who  always  crossed  the  Potomac  for  that  purpose  In  disguise. 
The  good  Father  Fram back,  who  frequently  attended  them,  had  to  exercise  the 
irreate^t  caution  to  avoid  discovery,  sleeping  generally  in  the  stable  beside  his 
hors(%  in  order  to  be  prepared  for  sudden  fliglit.  On  one  occasion  he  barely 
eseujied  with  his  life.  His  faithful  horse  carried  him  safely  t  lirough  the  water 
of  the  Potomac  ;  but  he  was  lired  upon  before  lie  had  reached  the  Maryland 
Bide  of  the  river. 

*8paik-. 


'*'* 
m 

M- 


I  ? 


\-\ 


230  Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 

Father  Carroll's  reply  is  noted  for  its  strength,  elegance,  and 
triumphant  logic. 

He  was  appointed  Prefect  Apostolic  towards  the  close  of  1784, 
first  Bishop  of  the  United  States  in  1789,  and  first  Archbishop 
in  1808.  The  two  preceding  chapters  sketch  his  glorious  career 
in  tliese  high  offices. 

Dr.  Carroll's  name  heads  the  congratulatory  address  presented 
by  the  Catholics  of  the  United  States  to  General  Washington 
on  his  accession  to  the  Presidency, 

As  Bishop,  in  the  midst  of  his  solicitude  for  the  whole  Church 
of  America,  he  never  lost  sight  of  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the 
Indians.  Had  it  been  in  his  power  he  would  have  revived  the 
Indian  missions  in  all  their  former  greatness.  He  applied  to 
General  Washington  for  the  assistance  of  the  Government  in  this 
grand  work.  But  the  President,  under  our  Constitution,  had 
no  power  to  grant  liis  request.  Had  Congress  at  that  time 
adopted  the  policy  of  sending  Catholic  missionaries  amongst 
the  Indians,  how  different  would  have  been  the  fate  of  our 
aborigines !  A  sad  chapter  in  our  history  would  now  have  been 
one  of  the  brightest  pages  in  our  annals ! 

He  founded  Georgetown  College,  and  his  labors  in  the  cause 
of  education  only  ended  with  his  life. 

Archbishop  Carroll  was  a  polished  and  profound  scholar.  He 
spoke  Latin,  French,  Italian,  and  English  with  equal  fluency. 
St.  John's  College,  at  Annapolis,  conferred  upon  him  the  degree 
of  LL.D,  Many  other  colleges  and  universities  also  considered 
it  an  honor  to  confer  upon  him  the  degrees  of  D.D.  and  LL.D. 

Washington  admired  the  character  and  virtues  of  Dr.  Carroll. 
"From  his  exalted  worth  as  a  minister  of  God,"  writes  G.  W. 
Custis,  the  adopted  son  of  Washington,  "his  stainless  character 
as  a  man,  and  above  all  his  distinguished  services  as  a  patriot 
of  the  Revolution,  Dr.  Carroll  stood  high,  very  high  in  the 
esteem  and  affections  of  the  ^ Pater  Patrice.^  ^''  *  By  the  unani- 
mous resolution  of  Congress  he  was  selected  to  pronounce  the 
panegyric  of  Washington  on  February  22d,  1800.  This  he  did  in 
St.  Peter's  church,  Philadelphia.  It  is  a  masterpiece  of  fervid 
eloquence,  ardent  patriotism,  and  pure  classic  taste. 

In  stature,  Archbishop  Carroll  was  below  the  medium  height, 
but  he  was  at  the  same  time  one  of  the  most  dignified  and  im 
posing  of  men.     His  appearance  and  manners  were  strikingly 
appropriate  to  the  ecclesiastic.     He  was  exceedingly  affable, 
always  accessible,  and  of  a  most  kind  and  genial  nature. 

~* Letter  of  G.  W.  Custis  to  Rev.  Dr.  White. 


Its  History  from  1790  to  18 15. 


231 


"Mother,"  said  one  of  her  pupils  to  the  celebrated  Mother 
Seton,  during  an  instruction  in  Christian  doctrine,  **  I  met  the 
word  benignity  in  my  Catechism,  and  I  don't  know  exactly  the 
meaning  of  it."  "My  dearest  one,"  replied  the  good  lady  with 
a  smile,  "  I  can  give  you  no  better  answer  to  your  question  than 
to  say :  '  Look  at  Archbishop  Carroll,  and  you  will  see  the  mean- 
in  j  of  this  word  on  his  countenance,  as  well  as  in  his  manners.^ " 
Gallitzin,  the  prince  priest,  was  a  great  admirer  of  the  noble 
prelate.  "The  nearer  we  approach  Dr.  Carroll  in  our  conduct," 
he  was  accustomed  to  say,  "the  nearer  we  approach  perfec- 
tion." 

The  wonderful  regularity  and  temperance  of  his  life  enabled 
him  to  retain  unimpaired  health  until  he  was  aboul  eighty  years 
of  age.  When  his  last  hour  came,  he  requested  to  be  laid  on  the 
floor  to  die,  at  the  same  time  desiring  his  friends  and  attend- 
ants to  recite  the  Miserere.  Bestowing  his  benediction,  he 
calmly  expired  on  Sunday,  December  3,  1815. 

"He  taught  us  how  to  live ;  and  oh  !  too  high 
The  price  of  knowledge  !  taught  us  how  to  die." 


i  • 


I      !' 


m      H 


ii 

I 
; 

i 

i 

r 

i 

! 

i 

f 
S 

ll 

. 

5 

.-■    J. 

ii 
m 

1 

■      f 

CHAPTER  V. 

"  You  Bhall  be  hated  by  all  men  for  my  name's  sake  ;  bat  he  that  shall  persevere  to 
the  end  ahall  be  saved."— Gospbl. 

FROM  THE  DEATH  OF  ARCHBISHOP  CARROLL  TO  THE  ELEVA- 
TION OF  NEW  YORK,  CINCINNATI,  AND  NEW  ORLEANS  TO 
THE    RANK   OF    METROPOLITAN    SEES. 

(a.   D.   1815—1850.) 

AllCHBISHOFS  NEAI,E  AND  MAKECIIAL— A  MIRACULOUS  CURE— THE  FIRST 
PROVINCIAL  COUNCIL  OF  BALTIMORE— DRS.  WHITFIELD  AND  ECCLE- 
STON — SUCCEEDING  COUNCILS— PIUS  IX. — LETTER  INVITING  HIM  TO 
AMERICA — THE  CHURCH  IN  PENNSYLVANIA — SCANDALS— TROUBLES 
— PROGRESS — DR.  KENRICK — CHURCH-BURNING — "  NATIVISM  " — THE 
CHURCH  IN  NEW  YORK — DR.  CONNOLLY — DIFFICULTIES— CONVER- 
SIONS —  IRISH  IMMIGRATION  —  DR.  DUBOIS  —  DR.  HUGHES  —  THE 
CHURCH  IN  NEW  ENGL.\ND — DRS.  CHEVERUS  AND  FENWICK— THE 
BOSTON  MOB  DESTROYS  A  CONVENT— PROGRESS— ANECDOTES— THE 
CHUKCH  IN  THE  SOUTHERN  STATES— IN  THE  WESTERN  STATES — DR» 
FENWICK — DR.   PURCELL— STATE  OF  THE  CHURCH   IN   1850. 

T.  AECHDIOCESE  OF  BALTIMORE. 

The  venerable  Carroll  laid  the  foundation  of  the  Catholic 
Church  in  our  country.  It  remained  for  those  who  followed 
him  to  build  up  the  mighty  edifice.  His  successor  was  the 
sainted  Neale,  who  wisely  guided  the  destinies  of  the  Church 
for  eighteen  months,  then  bowed  his  aged  head,  and  passed 
to  the  reward  of  the  faithful  servant. 

The  Holy  See  appointed  Dr.  Ambrose  Marechal  to 
fill  the  vacancy.  For  a  time,  his  was,  indeed,  a  thorny 
road  to  tr?.vel.  He  had  to  struggle  with  a  spirit  of  faction 
and  insubordination  which  threatened  to  result  in  actual 
schism.  In  Charleston,  S.  C,  there  was  much  trouble.  At 
(232) 


Its  History  from   1815  to  1850. 


233 


1  persevero  to 

E    ELEVA- 
ILEANB    TO 


—THE  FIRST 
AND  ECCLE- 
riNO  HIM  TO 
3 — TROUBLES 
tVIBM  "—THE 
ES—CONVEK- 
GFIRS  —  THE 
NWICK— THE 
DDOTES — THE 
STATES — DR« 

850. 

E. 

lie  Catholic 
10  followed 
,or  was  the 
the  Cluircli 
and  passed 


.'K 

'4 


Norfolk,  Va.,  an  nnj^rinciplcd  priest  was  in  open  revolt. 
Trnstecism  created  ditlieulties  in  all  directions.  In  the 
words  of  the  learned  prelate :  "  The  Church  of  Christ  in 
tliis  country  was  in  affliction  ! ''  l>ut  in  prudence  and  zeal 
Archliishop  Marechal  was,  perliaps,  unsurpassed.  JIc  was 
equal  to  the  weighty  requirements  of  his  exalted  and  diffi- 
cult position. 

In  ^lay,  1821,  he  had  the  happiness  of  solemnly  dedi- 
cating the  fine  cathedral  of  Baltimore,  tlie  corner-stone  of 
wliich  had  heen  laid,  eighteen  years  hefore,  by  Dr.  Carroll. 
Tlie  situation  of  the  sacred  edifice  on  the  summit  of  a  pyra- 
midal hill — on  which  the  houses  of  the  city  are  built — 
gives  to  Baltimore  the  aspect  of  an  entirely  Catholic  city, 
where  the  cathedral,  as  in  Europe,  towers  above  all  other 
monuments. 

A   VISIULl':    MIRACLE. 

About  this  time  a  miraculous  cure  took  place^— a  cure 
which  furnished  themes  for  many  an  able  pen.*  It  occurred 
in  the  case  of  Mrs.  Ann  Mattingly,  of  Washington  City, 
sister  of  the  Hon.  Thomas  Carberry,  then  chief  magistrate 
of  the  national  metropolis.  After  a  sickness  of  several 
years'  duration,  which  subjected  her  to  the  most  intense 
sutferings,  and  which  had  resulted  in  the  formation  of  ex- 
ternal tumors  and  ulcers,  she  was  at  length  reduced  to  the 
point  of  death.  Her  physicians  pronounced  her  situation 
bevond  the  reach  of  medical  skill.  "While  in  this  condition, 
she  was  advised  to  resort  to  the  prayers  of  Rev.  Prince 
Ilohonlohe,  Canon  of  Olmutz,  who  was  renowned  for  his 
sanctity,  and  who  had  the  reputation  of  obtaining  the  most 
extraordinary  favors  from  God.  She  accordingly  performed 
a  novena  in  union  with  some  of  her  pious  friends,  as  the 
prince  had  directed.  On  the  10th  of  March,  1824,  imme- 
diately after  the  reception  of  the  Holy  Communion,  Mrs. 
]\[attingly  ii^as  instantly  restored  to  health.      The  tumor 

*  It  occupies  about  fifty  pages  of  Bishop  England's  learned 

writings.     •      * 


i 


1  '! 


■'I 

i! 


234  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

had  disappeared.  Tlic  idcers  on  licr  back  wore  healed. 
Ivising  from  lier  bed,  slie  spent  some  thne  in  prayer  and 
thank  .^giving;  and  during  the  day  received  hundreds  of 
visitors  who  crowded  to  see  her.*  The  fame  of  this  extra- 
ordinary cure  was  inunense.  It  led  to  many  conversions. 
The  lady  lived  in  perfect  health  for  thirty  years  after,  dying 
only  in  1855. 

THE   COUNCII-8   OF   BALTIMORE. 

Archbishop  Marechal  passed  from  the  scene  of  his  earthly 
toils  in  1828,  and  was  succeeded  by  Dr.  James  Whitlield. 
It  is  a  trite,  but  true  maxim,  that  "  union  is  strength." 
Bishop  England,  with  his  mighty  grasj)  of  mind,  was  not 
long  in  perceiving  the  necessity  of  united  action  among  the 
prelates  of  this  Kepublic.  He  forcibly  explained  his  views 
to  his  consecrated  colleagues ;  and  the  result  was  the  first 
Provincial  Council  of  Baltimore,  held  in  the  fall  of  1829. 
The  benefits  religion  has  derived  from  these  assemblies  of 
our  Bishops  cannot  be  overestimated ;  nor  should  we  forget 
the  soaring  intellect  M'hose  wise  suggestions  first  called  them 
into  existence.  To  the  invitation  of  Archbishop  Whitfield, 
five  prelates  responded — England  of  Charleston,  Flaget  of 
Bardstown,  Fenw^ick  of  Cincinnati,  Fenwick  of  Boston, 
and  Rosati  of  St.  Louis.f  The  others  were  unable  to  at- 
tend. The  Council  passed  thirty-eight  decrees,  afterwards 
approved  by  the  Holy  See.  Two  of  these  decrees  were  in- 
tended to  check  the  fre(juent  abuse  of  power  by  lay  trustees  ; 


*  Rev,  Dr.  White. 

t  As  to  nationality,  the  Fathers  of  the  First  Council  of  Balti- 
more were  as  follows  :  The  President,  Archbishop  Whitfield, 
was  an  Englishman  ;  the  two  Dr,  Fenwicks  were  Americans  ; 
Dr.  England  was  a  native  of  Ireland  ;  Dr.  Rosati,  an  Italian  ; 
and  Dr.  FJaget,  a  Frenchman.  Drs,  Whitfield  and  England  were 
not  members  of  any  Religious  Order  ;  Dr.  Fenwick  of  Boston 
was  a  Jesuit  ;  Dr.  Fenwick  of  Cincinnati,  a  Dominican  ;  Dr. 
Rosati,  a  member  of  the  Congregation  of  the  Mission  ;  and  Dr. 
jPlaget,  a  Sulpitian. 


ill! 


Its  History  from  1815/^  1850.  235 


another,  urgently  recommended  the  establishment  of  a  8f> 
ciety  for  the  diffuisiou  of  good  books.  On  comparing  their 
notes,  the  assembled  Fathers  reckoned  the  Catholic  popu- 
lation of  the  United  States  as  numbering  over  500,000. 
Tin's  rapid  increase  was  chiefly  owing  to  immigration  from 
Ireland.  The  faithful  Irish  exiles  scattered  themselves  over 
our  vast  territory,  and  presented,  on  all  sides,  little  congre- 
gations ready  for  a  ])a8tor. 

In  the  fall  of  1833,  the  Second  Council  of  Baltimore  was 
convened.  It  was  composed  of  ten  prelates.*  Many  wise 
decrees  were  passed.  Among  others,  the  Fathers  directed 
that  the  Indian  tribes  of  the  far  West,  and  the  Catholic  ne- 
groes of  the  colony  of  Liberia,  should  be  confided  to  the 
care  of  the  Society  of  Jesus. 


AMONG    THE   NEGROES    OF    AFRICA.     ' 

At  that  time,  however,  it  seems  that  the  Fathers  of  the 
Society  were  unable  to  undertake  the  mission  among  the 
negroes.  The  Holy  See,  six  years  later,  expressed  its  de- 
sire that  the  Bishops  of  Kew  York  and  Philadelphia  should 
each  appoint  a  missionary  to  go  to  the  African  colony.  Rev. 
Edward  Barron  and  Rev.  John  Kelly  responded  to  the  call 
of  the  Sovereign  Pontiff.  In  1842  they  landed  on  the 
coast  of  Africa,  and  for  three  years  labored  zealously  in  a 
most  uninviting  field.  During  a  journey  to  Rome,  Dr. 
Barron  was  raised  to  the  episcopal  dignity.  Pestilence, 
however,  swept  over  Liberia ;  and  the  two  missionaries,  after 
numerous  acts  of  heroism,  were  finaWy  compelled  to  return 
to  the  United  i::]tates,  in  18-J:5.t 


*  The  only  one  of  them  now  (1876)  alive  is  Dr.  Purcell,  the 
venerable  Archbishop  of  Cincinnati. 

t  Bishop  Barron  was  born  in  Ireland,  in  1801,  and  was  a 
brother  of  Sir  Henry  Winton  Barron  of  Waterford.  He  was  a 
man  of  great  virtue,  profound  knowledge,  and  many  accom- 
plishments. After  his  return  to  the  United  States,  he  repeat- 
edly refused  a  diocese  ;  and  in  1854,  while  the  yellow  fever  raged 
in  Savannah,  he  died  a  martyr  of  charity.— De  Courcy. 


^H 


I '  t 


n 


' 


:ii! 


236 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 


DEATir   OF    DK.    WHITFIKLD. 


The  death  of  Dr.  Whitfield,  in  1834,  left  the  See  of  Bal- 
timore vjicant.  The  two  Councils  over  which  lie  had  the 
glory  of  presiding,  dis])lay  the  dignity  and  conciliating  spirit 
of  the  Archl)i8hop.  During  the  first  Council,  three  distin- 
guished jurists  were  invited  before  the  assembled  Bishops 
to  give  an  opinion  on  some  points  relating  to  the  civil  law 
of  the  United  States.  These  learned  gentlemen  left  the 
presence  of  the  prelates,  full  of  respect  and  wonder.  '*  We 
liave,"  said  they,  "appeared  before  solenni  tribunals  of 
justice,  but  have  never  had  less  assurance,  or  felt  less  confi- 
dence in  ourselves,  than  when  we  entered  that  august 
assembly."'^  At  the  date  of  the  second  Council,  the 
Church  of  the  United  States  consisted  of  twelve  dio- 
ceses, which  counted  in  all  three  hundred  and  eight  ecclesi- 
astics— seventy-two  Americans,  ninety-one  Irish,  seventy- 
three  French,  seventeen  Italians,  thirty-nine  Belgians  and 
Germans,  some  English  and  Spanish,  and  one  Pole. 

The  Holy  See  nominated  Dr.  Samuel  Eccleston  to  the 
Metropolitan  See  of  Baltimore.  He  first  presided  at  the 
Third  Provincial  Council,  in  1837,  at  which  eight  Bishops 
were  present.  In  May,  IS-iO,  the  fourth  Council  was 
opened.  In  their  fifth  decree,  the  Fathers  very  earnestly 
recommended  the  formation  of  temperance  societies  among 
Catholics.  This  was  the  last  of  the  Councils  attended  by 
the  illustrious  Bishop  England,  as  he  died  in  the  spring  of 
1842.  In  the  following  year  the  fifth  Council  was  held, 
and  at  the  suggestion  of  the  Fathers,  the  HoW  S  e  erected 
several  new  dioceses.    The  penalty  of  exco  a'ation  was 

pronounced  against  all  Catholics  who,  after      taining  a  ci\ 
divorce,  pretend  to  contract  a  second  marriage. 

OUR    POWERFUL    PATRONESS. 

The  sixth  Council  assembled  in  May,  1846,  and  twenty- 


*  One  of  these  was  the  illustrious  Roger  B.  Taney,  afterwards 
Chief- Justice  of  the  United  States.  He  was  the  only  Catholic 
who  up  to  this  tiino  has  lillod  that  high  offlce. 


Its  History  from   1815  to  1850. 


237 


e  of  Btvl- 
had  tho 
iiif?  spirit 
30  dirttin- 
[  BislK^ps 
civil  law 
1  left  the 
Br.     '-We 
bunals   of 
less  c'onti- 
at   august 
imcil,    the 
»velve  dio- 
rlit  ecclesi- 
i,  seventy- 
elgians  and 
»le. 

stou  to  tlie 
ided  at  tlie 
ht  Bishops 
ouiicil   was 
y  earnestly 
cties  among 
ttended  by 
;  spring  of 
I  was*  held, 
•-'   e  ere*.'U<l 
ration  was 
ining  a  cin 


and  twenty- 

sy,  afterwards 
[only  Catholic 


three  ])ishopa  took  part  in  the  delil)orati()ns.  Their  principal 
decree  was,  that  ''the  most  Blessed  Viroin  conckived 
wrrnoL'T  six  is  ohosen  ah  the  Patroness  of  thk  Tnited 
States."  The  Fathers  tlnis  proved  tiieir  great  love  and  de- 
votion to  the  Mother  of  God,  and  anticipated  the  action  of 
the  Holy  See,  which  a  few  years  after  declared  the  Immacu- 
late Conception  an  article  of  Faith. 

rius  IX. 

The  death  of  Pope  Gregory  XVI.,  and  the  almost  imme- 
diate election  of  Pius  IX.,*  were  events  that  filled  the  Cath- 
olics of  the  United  States  with  feelings  of  mingled  regret 
and  joy.  Americans  of  all  denominations  joined  in  the 
voice  of  welcome  to  the  new  Pontiff.  Meetings  were  called 
in  the  pnncipal  cities  of  the  Union,  eloquent  speeches  were 
made,  and  beautiful  addresses  drawn  up  to  bear  to  the  I  Foly 
Father  the  enthusiastic  tribute  of  American  sympathy. 

But  who  can  foretell  the  direction  events  may  take? 
Many  of  tlie  Italian  multitude  who  were  loudest  in  welcom- 
ing Pius  IX.  soon  drove  him  into  exile !  This  but  increased 
the  love  and  veneration  of  American  Catliolics  for  his  august 
person.  They  flattered  themselves  that  he  might  seek  hos- 
pitality on  the  shores  of  the  New  World.  And  Archbishop 
Eccleston  begged  his  Holiness  to  honor  Maryland  with  his 
presence.  "  Our  seventh  council  of  Baltimore,"!  writes  the 
prelate  to  the  exiled  Pius  IX.,  "  is  to  be  held  on  the  6th  of 
May  next.  We  are  perhaps  too  bold,  Holy  Father,  in  ask- 
ing and  hoping  that,  if  possible,  the  shadow  of  Peter  may 
even  transiently  gladden  us,  and  give  us  new  strength  and 
courage.  How  great  an  honor  and  support  to  our  rising 
Cliurcli !  AVhat  joy  and  fervor,  what  fruits  and  priv^ileges 
of  communion  throughout  our  whole  Republic,  if  your  Iloli- 
!  v.^8s,  yielding  to  our  unanimous  wishes,  would  but  stand 
amid  the  prelates  assembled  from  the  most  remote  shores  of 


^ 


■I 


H 


')  i; 


\ 


£'* 


<    f 


*  Pius  IX.  was  elected  June  16th,  1846. 

1^  This  memorable  letter  is  dated  Baltimore,  January  18th,  1849. 


.i...,.«»y^.pp 


I 


238         Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

North  America,  and  deign  to  console  and  honor  us  and  our 
flocks  with  jour  apostolic  advice  and  paternal  blessing !  The 
council  might  easily,  if  your  Holiness  so  direct,  be  deferred 
to  a  more  convenient  time,  and  so  far  as  our  poverty  permits, 
notliing  shall  be  wanting  to  make  everything  a  comfoit  and 
joy  to  our  Most  Holy  Father." 

Though  deprived  of  tlie  happiness  of  seeing  the  successor 
of  St.  Peter,  the  Catholics  of  our  country  expressed  their 
veneration  by  sending  him  a  spontaneous  tribute  of  $26,000. 

The  seventh  council  of  Baltimore  was  assembled  in  Maj', 
1849.  Twenty-live  Bishops  attended.  The  Fathers  signi- 
fied that  they  would  hail  witli  pleasure  the  definition  of  the 
Immaculate  Conception  as  a  doctrine  of  the  Catholic  Church, 
if  the  Holy  See  deemed  it  expedient  to  proclaim  the  dogma. 


I     :t 


II.     THE  CHUECH  IN  THE  MIDDLE  STATES. 

PENNSYLVANIA. 

The  story  of  tlie  Church  in  the  Middle  States,  during 
the  period  under  consideration,  was  a  most  eventful  one.  It 
will  be  remembered  that  troubles ^and  difficulties  with  the 
arrogant  trustees  of  his  cathedral  hastened  the  deatli  of  the 
gentle  Bishoj)  Fgan,  of  Philadelphia.  Six  years  passed  away 
before  his  successor  could  be  founu.  Every  one  to  whom 
the  See  w^as  otTered  shrunk  from  a  position  which  presented 
nothing  but  painful  burdens.  At  last,  Rev.  Dr.  Henry 
Con  well,  Vicar-Ceneral  of  Arinegh,  Ireland,  accepted  the 
post,  ignorant,  doubtles;,  of  its  many  difficulties.  In  his 
seventy-third  year  he  was  consecrated  in  London,  sailed  for 
bis  diocese,  and  arri^^ed  at  Philadelphia  towards  tlie  close  of 
1820. 

The  mitre  for  him  was  truly  a  crown  of  thorns.  The 
whole  period  of  his  administration  (about  eight  years)  was 
an  open  and  deplorable  ccjnflict  -.vith  an  unprincipled  clergy- 
man, the  Rev.  Willian;  Hogan,  pastor  of  St.  Mary's  churcli, 
and  bis  party.     Though  his  faculties  were  withdrawn  by  the 


ffilL 


I  and  our 
ig!  The 
deferred 
'  permits, 
ifort  and 

successor 
sed  their 
$2G,000. 
I  in  Ma;^ , 
ers  signi- 
on  of  the 
3  Church, 
e  dog-ma. 


ATES. 


3,  during 
1  one.  It 
witli  the 
:h  of  the 
sed  aM'ay 
to  whom 
)resented 

Henry 
pted  the 

In  liis 
^ailed  for 
a  close  of 

tis.  The 
iars)  was 
d  clergy- 
i  churcli, 
vn  by  the 


//s  History  from  1815/^   1850.  239 

bishop,  though  he  was  excommunicated,  he  obstinately  con- 
tinued to  exorcise  the  ministry,  and  was  upheld  in  his  scan- 
dalous proceedings  by  the  trustees  of  the  church,  lie  would 
prol)ably  have  recanted,  and  returned  to  a  sense  of  duty,  if 
liis  false  friends  among  the  laity — men  totally  destitute  of 
the  spirit  of  religion — had  not  encouraged  Inm  in  his  wicked 
coiuvse."  At  length,  this  unhappy  man  quitted  the  scene  of 
his  scandals,  went  South,  took  a  wife,  and  published  several 
infamous  attacks  upon  the  Catholic  Church.  He  died  with- 
out the  least  sign  of  repentance — a  fearful  example  of  hard- 
ened depravity ! 

The  departure  of  Ilogan,  however,  did  not  qu';ll  the 
storm.  Such  was  the  excitement  created  by  the  schismatical 
party,  that  the  good  bishop,  anxious  to  restore  peace  to  his 
distracted  tiock,  entered  into  a  compromise  with  the  trus- 
tees, relative  to  the  appointment  of  pastors.  This  arrange- 
ment was  condemned  by  the  Holy  See  as  an  infringement  of 
ecclesiastical  authoritv,  and  Dr.  Conwell  was  summoned  to 
Rome.  Soon  after  this  the  spirit  of  discoi'd  began  to  sub- 
side, but  not  without  leaving  behind  it  a  scene  of  desolation 
— many  lost  to  the  Church  by  a  total  extinction  of  faith, 
many  more  became  obdurate  in  refusing  to  avail  themselves 
of  its  consoling  ministrations.f 

Though  weighed  down  by  age  and  surrounded  by  diffi- 
culties almost  insupportable.  Bishop  Conwell  preserved 
his  high  character  to  the  last.  "  He  has  been,"  writes  the 
celebrated  Dr.  England,  "  the  greatest  sufferer  in  his  feelings, 
in  his  income,  and,  undei*  God,  he  may  thank  his  virtue 
alone  that  he  has  not  been  in  his  character.  That,  however, 
has  been  but  burnished  in  the  collision  :  were  he  ahynocrito, 
the  thin  washing  would  have  long  since  been  rubbed  away, 
for,  indeed,  the  applications  have  been  roughly  used !" 

*  The  mere  titles  of  the  public  letters  and  pamphlets  called 
forth  by  that  unfortunate  conttlct  fill  from  page  138  to  170  of 
Father  Fiuotti's  valuable  work,  "  liibUuytaplna  Catholica  Ameri- 

t  Rev.  Br.  White. 


(t 


,vl 


ft. 


1 


Ml 


4  1 


>  t 


i 


m 


w 


li  i  !'l 


II 


ill 


'••i 


240  Catholicity  in  tue  United  States, 

BISIIOr    KENRTCK.  • 

In  1830,  the  Right  Rev.  Francis  Patrick  Kenrick  was 
coiisecrati3(l  coadjutor  Bishop  of  Pliiladelphia.  His  gi'cat 
prudence  and  firinness  did  nnicli  to  restore  peace  and  pros- 
perity to  ti>e  dioccte.  lie  estimated  tlie  Catholics  of  liis 
episcopal  cit7  in  1S34,  at  twenty-live  thousand,  with  five 
churches  and  ten  priests.  Writing  of  the  country  missions, 
Dr.  Kenrick  says,  "  They  need  the  gift  of  tongues  and  a 
liealth  of  iron.  Nine  nations  have  supplied  our  missionaries, 
BO  that  there  is  more  diversitv  among  them  than  amoni;  the 
faithful.  Four  of  the  priests  are  Fi'cncli,  three  Germans, 
two  Belgians,  and  twenty-one  Irish,  liussia,  Livonia,  Por- 
tugal, and  England,  have  each  given  one  missionary  to  Penn- 
sylvania. As  to  the  American-born,  we  count  only  three 
now  employed  in  the  diocese,  and  two  at  Emmittsburg." 

BISirOP   O'CONNOK. 

The  third  and  fifth  Council  of  Baltimore  asked  the  Holy 
See  to  divide  the  diocese  of  Philadel])hia.'^  This  was 
effected  in  1813,  by  creating  the  see  of  Pittsburg,t  and 
appointing  the  Right  Rev.  Michael  O'Connor  lirst  Bishop, 
The  new  diocese  comprised  the  western  part  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, [ind  counted  fifteen  priests  with  a  scattered  Catholic 
population.  The  unsurpassed  zeal  of  Dr.  0'(^)nnor  soon 
made  it  a  garden  of  the  faith. 

BURNING    OF    CATHOLIC    CHURCHES. 

The  anti-Catholic  spirit  which  agitated  the  country  from 
1834  to  1844,  culminated  in  making  Philadelphia  the  dis- 
graceful   scene   of    riot,   mob   rule,   and    church   burning. 

*  Tilt!  erection  of  new  dioceses  always  formed  one  of  the  most 
important  subjects  brought  before  the  Councils  of  Haltimore. 
The  votes  of  the  bishops  decided  the  matter,  which  was  tinally 
sent  to  Home  for  the  approval  of  the  Holy  Father. 

t  The  first  cliurch  in  the  city  of  l^ittsburg  was  St.  Patrick's, 
erof'tcd  in  1808,  by  the  Rev.  F.  X.  O'Brien.  'I'h«?  pn^sent  churcli 
of  that  uiime  is  not  on  the  site  of  th(>  old  one. 


Its  History  from   1815  to  1850. 


241 


ITomided  on  by  the  pulpit  yellings  of  fanatical  ministers,  an 
armv  of  ruffians  did  the  work  of  destruction,  while  the  citv 
authorities  looked  on,  and  like  Pontius  Pilate,  quioJlv 
washed  their  hands  of  the  whole  affair  !  At  2  o'clock  p.m. 
on  the  8th  of  May,  1844,  St.  Michael's  church  was  in 
tlanies  !  At  4  o'clock  the  house  of  the  Sisters  of  Charity 
was  consumed  !  At  six,  the  same  evening,  St.  Augnstine's 
church  was  fired,  and  along  with  the  rectory,  burned  !  The 
precious  lil)rary  of  the  Augustinians  was  plundered,  the 
])ooks  piled  up,  and  committed  to  the  flames!  All  this  in 
one  afternoon  ! 

"  Natimsm^''  writes  the  Itov.  Mr.  Goodman,  an  Ej)isco- 
pal  minister,  "  has  not  existed  five  months,  and  in  that  time 
what  has  l)een  seen?  Tw(j  Catholic  churches  burned,  one 
twice  fired  and  desecrated,  a  Catholic  seminary  and  retreat 
consumed  by  the  torch  of  an  incendiary  mob,  two  rectories 
and  a  most  valuable  libi'ary  destroyed,  forty  dwellings  in 
ruins,  about  forty  hunum  lives  sacrificed,  and  sixty  of  our 
fellow-citizens  u'onnded  ;  riot,  and  rebellion,  and  treason 
rampant  on  two  occasions  in  our  midst ;  the  laws  boldly 
set  at  defiance,  and  peace  and  order  prostrated  by  rutfiau 
violence  ! ! !  " 

In  these  trying  times,  Bishop  Kenrick  acted  with  a  char- 
ity and  prudence  which  must  command  the  admiration  of 
all  Christians. 

NEW    YORK. 

The  see  of  New  York  was  left  vacant  by  the  death  of 
liishop  Concancn.  Towards  the  close  of  1815,  it  wa.s  filled 
by  the  aged  and  learned  Dr.  John  C()niU)Uy,  O.S.D.  Leav- 
ing Rome,  he  arrived  at  the  scene  of  his  labors,  and  found 
about  l'),000  Catholics  and  four  priests,  in  the  States  of 
Xew  York  and  New  Jersey,*  which  comprisiid  his  diocese.  It 
(Hd  not  take  him  long  to  reckon  the  nnnd)er  of  his  clnirches 


*  According  to  the  last  edition  (18?fi)  of  tho  CathnJU  Almanac, 
N(!\v  York  and  New  Jersey  contain  about  1,500,000  Catholics. 
From  13,0U;J  to  1,500,000  in  sixty  years! 
i6 


|i     m 


242  Catholicity  in  the   United  States. 

— three  ;  two  in  New  York  city,  and  one  at  Albany.  His 
clergy  consisted  of  three  Jesuits  Fathers  and  one  secular 
priest.  Two  of  the  Jesuits  were,  however,  soon  recalled  by 
tlieir  Superior,  and  the  secular  priest*  went  South,  leaving 
the  aged  prelate  to  perform  the  duties  of  parish  priest  with 
one  assistant,  the  Rev.  Peter  A.  Malou,  S.J. 

But  the  venerable  Connolly  was  a  brave,  zealous,  and 
laborious  bishop,  who  set  about  his  work  in  the  spirit  of  his 
Divine  Master.  Though  constantly  meeting  with  count- 
less difficulties,  he  toiled  on  with  nnflinching  determination. 
All  the  churches  were  in  the  hands  of  lay  trustees,  who 
were  guided  by  nothing  save  the  spirit  of  o])position  and 
revolt.  That  a  bishop  should  appoint  a  pastor  seemed  to 
them  ridiculous;  on  the  Protestaiit  principle,  they  them- 
selves looked  out  for  a  good  preacher,  and  invited  him  ! 
The  prelate's  troubles  with  these  men  terminated  only  with 
his  life. 

CONVEHSIONS   AND   THE   IRISH. 

Notwithstanding  the  distracted  state  of  the  Church,  sev- 
eral famous  conversions  took  place  about  this  period.  Among 
othei's  was  that  of  the  Ilev.  Mr.  Richards,  a  Methodist 
clergyman  of  western  New  York.  His  zeal  even  led  iiim 
to  Montreal  to  convert  the  priests  of  the  Seminary  of  St. 
Suljiice  !  However,  he  was  himself  converted,  iicrame  a 
Catholic,  and  afterwards  died  a  holy  priest  and  martyr  of 
charitv.f 

Into  New  York,  the  vast  tide  of  Irish  emigration  flowed 
rapidly.  In  three  years  (1810-1819)  ten  thousand  Irish  Cath- 
olics landed  at  the  Empire  City,  thus  actually  doubling  the 
number.     The  Erie  Canal  was  begun,  and  each  line  of  Irish 

*  This  was  llov.  Mr.  Carberry.  He  went  to  Norfolk,  Virginia, 
where  ho  created'great  senndal  and  dissension.  He  was  a  dan- 
gerous man — UTisurpassed  in  pride,  arrogance,  and  ability  to 
slander.  Ho  even  warned  the  civil  authorities  of  Virginia  to 
beware  of  tlie  Pope  I ! 

t  Father  Riehitrds  died  at  Montreal,  on  July  23d,  18i7,  of  ty- 
phus fever,  eaught  while  attending  the  Irish  emigrant.s. 


Its  IlistoTy  from   1S15  to  1850. 


243 


laborers  marked  the  advance  of  the  faith  into  the  heart  of 
New  York.  Churches  sjM-ang  up  at  TTtica,*  Eochester, 
Auburn,  Carthage,  and  other  central  points.  Marvellous 
are  the  ways  of  Almighty  God  !  The  territory  once  inhab- 
ited by  the  Iroquois,  which  was  crimsoned  by  the  blood  of 
the  martyred  Jogues,  which  reiiounded  to  the  eloquence  of 
Chiiumonot,  now  became  the  home  of  a  race  of  exiles — a 
missionary  race  that  unites  the  bravery  of  the  Indian  with 
the  enterprise  of  the  Celt  and  the  faith  of  the  Jesuit ! 

PROGKESS. 

About  half  a  century  ago.  Long  Island  beheld  its  first 
Catholic  church.  \\\  August,  1823,  St.  .James'  church — now 
the  Cathedral — Brooklyn,  was  dedicated  l)y  Bishop  ( 'onuolly. 
The  present  venerable  Archbishop  of  New  York,  Cardinal 
McCloskey,  who  is  a  native  of  Brooklyn,  tells  us  that  ho  well 
remembers  the  days  when,  as  a  boy,  he  and  his  good  [nsh 
father  and  mother  had  to  cross  the  ferry  to  hear  Mass  each 
Sunday  in  New  York  City.  At  the  period  when  the  iirst 
Church  was  dedicated,  Brooklyn  could  count  about  seventy 
Catholics.  The  story  runs  that  many  of  those  who  woi'ked 
during  the  day  to  support  their  famiUes,  were  accustomed  to 
I'cpair  to  Jay  Street  in  the  evening,  to  assist  in  building  the 
new  "church. f 

At  this  period  the  laborious  Dr.  Connolly  counted  seven 
churches  and  eight  priests  in  his  extensive  diocese.  Literally 
worn  out  with  toil  and  fatigue,  this  apostolic  man  gave  up 


*  Thcj  first  Catholic  church  (except  the  cliapels  of  tlie  oid  Indian 
missions)  in  western  New  York,  was  tliat  of  Utica,  W\q  erection 
of  wliich  was  begun  in  1819.  Its  chief  benefactors  were  I\Iessrs. 
J)('voreux,  Ilogan,  O'Connor,  IMcCartliy,  Lyncli,  McGuire,  and 
Carroll. 

The  llcv.  Patrick  Kelly  erected  St.  Patrick's  church  in  Roch- 
ester about  1S2U. 

Auburn  had  its  little  church  completed  in  1822. 

The  church  at  Carthage  was  erected  in  1819.  -• 

t  ' '  History  of  the  Church  on  Long  Island."   By  I'rof.  Mulrenan. 


t  \ 


\\ 


m 


^w 


il: 


'% 


>jl^ 


1 


i      ii 


:I0  '] 

in  ji 

''1  )j 

1 1 


I!      'II 


'0  I 

m  'i 


1 1 


i    i 


m 


244  Catholicity  in  the   United  States. 

his  soul  to  God  on  February  Gtli,  1825,  at  the  ripe  age  of 
seventy-live  years. 

For  two  years,  Very  Ilev.  John  Power  administered  the 
affairs  of  the  diocese  with  muoh  prudence  and  ability. 

BISHOP   DUBOIS. 

Towards  the  close  of  1826,  Right  Ecv.  Dr.  Dubois,  foun- 
der of  Mount  St.  Mary's  College,  entered  upon  his  duties  as 
Bishop  of  New  York.  lie  took  in  the  difficulties  of  liis 
position  at  a  glance,  and  "  governed  strongly  in  his  own 
strong  way."  In  the  following  year,  he  estimated  the  Catho- 
lic population  under  his  judisdiction  at  150,000,  with  eight 
churchet  and  eighteen  priests.  i!»[ew  York  City  alone  con- 
tained 35,000  Catholics. 

With  the  trustees  of  his  cathedral.  Bishop  Dubois,  as 
might  be  expected,  soon  found  himself  in  difficulties.  Their 
insolence  went  so  far  that  they  threatened  to  cut  off  his  salary ; 
but  they  little  knew  the  spirit  of  the  aged  prelate.  "  Gen- 
tlemen," he  replied,  "  you  may  vote  me  a  salary  or  not.  I 
need  little.  I  can  live  in  a  basement  or  a  garret ;  but 
whether  I  come  up  from  my  basement,  or  down  from  my 
garret,  I  shall  still  be  your  Bishop." 

THE    LOGIC    OF    THE    KIFLE. 

The  trouble  within  the  Church  was  but  a  faint  echo  of 
the  noise  and  bowlings  of  its  enemies  without.  The  fanati- 
cal spi)"it  which  burned  the  convent  in  New  England  had  its 
sympathizers  in  New  York.*     A  mob  assembled  to  destroy 

'^  A  shameless  book  was  issued  at  this  time,  under  the  title  of 
"  Awfu'  Disclosures  of  Maria  Monk."  I  cannot  stain  these  paj^cs 
by  detailing  its  scope  and  base  object  ;  sutfice  it  to  say,  that  it 
attacked  the  good  name  of  the  devoted  nuns  of  tlie  Hotel  Dion, 
Montreal,  and  was  one  of  the  most  infernal  pieces  of  defamation 
ever  written.  It  was  believed  by  many  weak-minded  people, 
and  thousands  of  copies  of  the  wretched  work  were  sold  in  a  few 
months.  Maria  claimed  that  she  was  "an  escaped  nun"— a 
character  often  assumed,  but  now  "played  out." 


Its  History  from   181.5  to   1S50.  245 

kSt.  Patrick's  cathedral.  But  tliese  cowardly  ruffians  did  not 
understand  the  determined  men  with  wliom  thev  had  to  deal. 
The  cathedral  was  at  once  put  in  a  state  of  defense.  The 
streets  leading  to  it  were  torn  up,  and  every  window  was 
made  a  point  whence  missiles  could  be  thrown  on  the  ad- 
viinciug  horde  of  sacrilegious  wretches.  Kudely  crenelled 
were  the  Avails  of  tlie  churchyard,  which  bristled  with  the 
imit^kets  of  dauntless  men,  ready  to  struggle  to  the  last  for 
tlie  altar  of  their  God  and  the  graves  of  those  they  loved. 
Tlict^c  hardy  preparations  had  the  desired  eifect.  The  news 
of  them  fell  like  a  thunder-clap  upon  the  heathen  mob.  Tluur 

"  Maria  Monk,''''  wrote  Col.  William  L.  Stono,  the  Protestant 
editor  of  the  New  York  Commeraial  Advertiser,  who  carefully  ex- 
anuiied  the  absurd  charges  contained  in  her  so-called  book,  "  is 
an  arraid  imjyostor,  and  her  book,  in  all  its  essential  features,  a 
tissue  of  calumnies.''^ 

The  talented  daughter  of  the  unfortunate  Maria  Monk,  writing 
in  1875,  describes  a  scene  in  her  own  early  life  thus  :  "  The  next 
day  I  was  abusing  the  Catholics  in  conversation  with  my  sister, 
when,  to  my  surprise,  t^he  seemed  inclined  to  defend  them.  I 
asked  her  how  it  Avas  possible  for  her  to  think  well  of  them  after 
all  our  mother  had  said  against  them.  She  replied  :  '  But  do 
yon  not  know  that  that  book  of  our  mother  was  all  a  lie  J ' 

"8ald  I  :  'I  believe  every  word  in  Maria  Monk's  'Awful  Dis- 
closures ! ' 

"My  sister  was  quite  irritated,  and  said  emphatically  :  '/ 
kiioin  that  the  ^  Awful  Disclosures''  of  Maria  Monli,  are  all  lies ; 

SUK  UKKSELF  TOLD  ME  SO.' 

"Said  I  :  'Why  did  she  write  it  then  ?'  'In  order  to  make 
money,'  my  sister  replied.  '  Some  men  put  her  up  to  it  ;  but 
she  never  received  one  cent  of  the  proceeds  of  the  book,  for  these 
iiion  ke^jt  it  all  for  themselves.'  '  She  had  no  education.  She 
did  not  write  her  book  ;  in  fact,  the  book  itself  admits  that  she 
did  not.'"  "  Maria  Monk's  Daughter  ;  an  Autobiography,"  by 
3rrs.  Eckel,  p.  170. 

The  men  who  "  put  her  up  to  it  "  were  throe  ministers.  Rev. 
j\Iessrs.  Bourne,  Brownlee,  and  Slocnm,  This  is  the  infamous 
]i)ode  of  attack  on  Catholicity  used  by  the  unprincipled  enemies 
of  ttie  Church  ! 

Mrs.  Eckel,  the  daughter  of  Maria  Monk,  is  now  a  devoted 
Catholic. 


4 


:(( 


?  m; 


! 
i  r 


r  I 


• 


II     ;'H!i 


I!     V 


246  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

van  had  nearly  reached  the  cathe(h*al,  when,  in  terror  and  dis- 
may, they  fled  in  all  directions.  Powerful  was  the  logic  of 
the  rifle !  * 

DOCTOR   HUGHES. 

The  year  1838  f  Avas  marked  by  an  event  of  great  interest. 
The  Rev.  John  Hughes,  of  Philadelphia,  was  appointed 
coadjutor  Bishop  of  New  York.  Six  years  after,  on  the 
death  of  Bisliop  Dubois,  the  yoimg  and  energetic  Dr. 
Hughes  became  his  successor.  The  times  wore  stormy.  The 
Catholics  were  sorely  in  need  of  a  leading  mind — a  man  to 
battle  for  their  rights.  Such  a  man  was  Bishop  Hughes. 
He  was  doubtless  an  instrument  of  Heaven,  raised  up  for 
the  good  of  the  Church.  He  grappled  at  once  Avitli  the  evils 
which  beset  his  diocese.  With  a  giant  grasp  he  crushed  out 
the  trustee  system — crushed  it  out  forever.  Other  obstacles 
and  abuses  faded  away  at  his  touch,  or  withered  at  his  frown. 
To  his  peojile  he  was  a  tower  of  strength.  And  for  the  first 
time  Catholicity  in  Kew  York  assumed  an  imposing  aspect. 

The  celebrated  Oxford  movement  in  England  led  to  the 
study  of  Catholicity  in  this  country,  and  was  the  means  of 
converting  many  who  have  since  become  eminent  men. 
Among  them  are  Rev.  Fathers  Hecker,  Ilewit,  AValworth, 
Deshon,  Preston,  and  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Wadluims,  at  present 
l>isho])  of  Ogdensburg. 

In  IS  1-4,  Dr.  Hughes  solicited  a  coadjutor,  which  the  Holy 
tSec  appointed,  in  the  person  of  Right  lie  v.  John  Mc- 
Closkcy — now  our  venerable  Cardinal.      Three  years  later, 


*  This  occurred  in  1836.  For  some  time  before,  an  exciting  con- 
troversy had  been  carried  on  in  the  papers  between  the  cliaiu- 
pions  of  Catholicity  and  their  bitter  opponents.  Unable  to  meet 
the  defenders  of  the  true  faith  by  reason  or  argument,  the  fanat- 
ics concluded  that  burning  the  cathedral  would  be  the  shorte.«t 
and  easiest  road  to  victory.     It  proved  otlierwiso. 

t  At  this  time,  the  Diocese  of  New  York  comprised  seven 
chui'ches  in  New  York  City,  eleven  in  other  parts  of  the  State, 
four  in  New  Jersey— attended  in  all  by  fifty  priests. 


Its  History  from  1815  to  1850.  247 

the  Dioceses  of  Albany*  and  BniTalof  were  established, 
with  Doctors  McCloskey  and  Tiinoii  as  8])iritual  rulers. 


NEW    JEKSEY. 

New  Jersey  was  a  hard  soil,  in  which  Catholicity  slowly 
took  root.  Ill  1822,  Paterson  had  its  little  church,  tluMi  the 
only  one  in  the  State.  It  was  visited  regularly  by  Eev.  Mr. 
Bulger,  a  young  Irish  priest,  wh  >  was  assistant  at  St.  Pat- 
rick's cathedral,  New  York  City.  lie  was  continually  ex- 
])Osed  to  insults  and  hardshijis,  and  was  often  in  danger  of 
his  life.  One  evening  a  large  jagged  stone  thrown  by  a 
bigoted  ruffian  came  near  putting  a  hole  in  the  priest's  head. 
On  another  occasion  he  was  rudely  turned  out  into  the 
muddy  road,  with  his  i)reviary  and  bundle,  from  a  country 
cart,  the  driver  of  which  had  given  him  a  lift  until  he  dis- 
covered that  he  was  a  Catholic  clergyman.  The  man  after- 
wards applied  to  him  for  instruction,  and  became  a  pious 
(/athoHc.  Newark  soon  after  had  its  resident  ])astor  in  the 
person  of  Kev.  Gregory  Pardow,  who,  in  1834,  was  the  oidy 
priest  actually  residing  in  New  Jersey.:}: 

III.  THE  CHURCH  IN  THP:  NEW  ENGLAND 

STATES. 

The  Catholics  of  Poston,  in  18 IS,  mourned  the  death  of 
the  revered   Dr.    Matignon,  who  for  over  a  (juartcr  of  a 

*  Albany  had  a  church  as  early  as  1798.  Thomas  Barry  and 
liOuivS  Le  Couteulx  were  the  founders.  The  Rev.  .John  Tliayer, 
of  Boston,  appears  to  have  been  the  first  pastor. 

t  In  the  territory  comprised  in  the  Diocese  of  Buffalo  the  num- 
ber of  Catholics  must  have  increased  with  marvelous  rapidity. 
When  Bishop  Dubois  visited  Buffalo  in  1829, he  found  no  church 
there,  and  had  to  celebrate  Mass  in  the  Court  House.  In  1812, 
Kev.  Theodore  Noethen,  now  the  honored  pastor  of  Holy  Cros.s 
church,  Albany,  was  "made  i>astor  of  all  the  missions  between 
Buflalo  and  Rochester,  and  was  at  that  time  the  only  Catholic 
priest  in  that  whole  section  of  the  country— Lockport  excepted — 
for  four  years." — Letter  to  the  Author. 

I  Catholic  Worhf,  "Earlv  Annals  of  Catholicitv  in  New. Tersev." 


I 


m 


) 


ft 


'  »<i 


'i! 


1 


i!i: 


CatJiolicity  in  the   United  States. 


century  had  lal)orcd  amongst  them.  Ills  memory  i;^  still 
held  in  benediction,  for  he  was  beloved  both  by  Clod  and 
men. 

From  th6  large  number  of  emigrants  that  daily  ai'riv^od, 
the  church  of  Boston  rapidly  grew  in  numbers.*  I>ut  the 
ciei'gy  were  so  few  that  'Bishop  Cheverus  was  incessantly 
compelled  to  discharge  the  ordinary  functions  of  missionary 
priest,  in  addition  to  his  own  arduous  duties.  Travelling 
from  town  to  town,  preaching,  baptizing,  confessing — such 
was  his  daily  life.  This  was  too  trmch  for  human  nature, 
and  the  prelate's  health  gave  way.  Urgently  requested  to 
return  to  his  native  France,  this  apostolic  man  reluctantly 
bade  adieu  to  the  scene  of  his  American  toils,  and  was  ap- 
pointed by  the  Holy  Father,  in  1823,  to  the  episcopal  see 
of  Montanban.  Again  niight  Boston  mourn,  for  it  had  lost 
its  spiritual  father. 

Bisiior  rENwrcK. 

Two  years  after  the  departure  of  Bishop  Cheverus,  his 
successor  blessed  the  Catholics  of  New  England  with  his 
presence.  This  was  the  Right  lie  v.  Benedict  Joseph  Fen- 
wick,  an  energetic  man  of  rai'e  piety,  learning,  and  ability. 
(3n  reaching  his  diocese — all  New  England — he  found  only 
three  clergymen  at  his  disposal — one  in  Boston,  one  in 
Maine,  and  one  in  New  Hampshire.f  Confiding  in  God, 
and  arming  himself  with  patience  and  courage.  Dr.  Fenwick 
set  about  his  numberless  duties  without  a  munnur.  In 
1S27,  he  ordained  two  young  priests — Rev.  Messrs.  Fitton 
and  Wiley — who  had  been  taught  the  ecclesiastical  sciences 
by  himself  in  his  own  house.     In  the  summer  of  the  same 


*  The  increase  of  Catholicity  in  the  city  of  Boston  may  be 
learned  by  tlie  increase  of  annual  baptisms.  In  1790  the  num- 
ber of  baptisms  was  30  ;  in  1820  it  had  grown  to  112. 

t  At  this  time  the  diocese  of  Boston  possessed  nine  cliurches, 
or  rather  chapels.  The  Catholic  population  was  about  15,000, 
tlm  ono-half  of  whom  were  in  Boston  atid  its  vicinity. 


Its  History  from   i8r5  to  1850. 


249 


year  he  said  IMass  in  an  upper  room  in  Portland,*  ]\faine. 
Some  time  after,  lie  oiTerod  U[)  the  Holy  Sacrifice  In  a  room 
in  Hartford,  (\jini.  Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island,  Con- 
necticut, Vermont,  New  llampslure,  and  Maine  were  alter- 
nately the  scenes  of  his  journeys,  toils,  and  labors.  In  ls:^)(», 
the  devoted  IHshop  consecrated  the  first  Catholic  church  at 
Hartford,  C/onnectieut.  Slowly,  hut  surely,  Catholicity  was 
spreading  itself  over  New  England.  The  nunil»er  of  con- 
versions was  numerous.  The  grain  of  mustard-seed  had 
found  congenial  soil  in  the  very  land  of  Puritanism  ! 

THE    TOCSIN    OF    BKiOTliY'    SOUNDED. 

But  bigotry  was  alarmed  at  this  onward  march  of  the 
Faith.  Sectarian  ministers  shouted  themselves  hoarse. f 
Vagabond  ])reachers  went  from  town  to  town,  exciting  the 
worst  passions  of  the  multitude.  The  tocsin  of  fanaticism 
was  loudly  sounded.  Popular  emotion  soon  reached  its 
height.  And  on  Sunday,  the  11th  of  August,  1834,  the 
mob  of  Boston,  like  an  army  of  howling  fiends,  rushed  on 
Trsuline  Convent  of  Mount  Benedict,  and  by  fire  and  pil- 
lage destroyed  it  from  top  to  bottom,  ransacking  the  very 
graves  of  the  dead  !  The  n:ins  of  the  burnt  convent  can 
be  seen  to  this  day.  They  remain  a  monument  of  everlast- 
ing disgrace  to  Massachusetts,  the  Legislature  of  which 
sliamefidly  refused  any  indemnity  for  the  loss  and  destruc- 
tion of  property  wrought  by  a  multitude  of  unequalled  ruf- 
fians. 


*  The  Church  of  St.  Dominic — the  first  in  Portland — was  dodi- 
cated  August,  1833.  The  congregation  at  that  time  numbered 
260. 

t  Chief  among  these  was  Rev.  Lyman  Beecher,  who  actually 
urged  on  the  Boston  mob  to  the  work  of  destruction.  It  is  said 
tliat  he  made  tlxree  inflammatory  harangues  on  the  very  Sundn y 
the  Convent  was  laid  in  ashes.  Soonafter,  he  went  West,  carried 
the  tirebrand  of  bigotry  with  him,  and  did  his  utmost  to  muko 
the  Mississippi  Valley  the  scene  of  religious  war.  He  was  the 
father  of  the  niuch-talked-about  Rev.  Henry  Ward  Beecher. 


{ 


''\ 


hi 


I  i 


\\ 


\ 


\  ■  '■ 


I  t 


\ 


i  '1 


r 


I 


j! 


250  Cat liol icily  in  tlic   United  Stales. 

In  those  days  of  wild  fimiitifisin,  It  wuh  ofton  no  easy 
niiitter  to  procure  even  a  place  in  wliicli  to  have  Mass  cele- 
brated. The  Catholics  of  New  Haven,  Conn.,  were  once 
in  this  unenviable  position  They  heard  thc^priest  was 
comin<if  to  visit  thern.  Many  efforts  were  made  to  secure  a 
respectable  place,  but  in  vain.  The  good  people  were 
obliged  to  rent  an  old  barn,  which  was  swept  and  fitted  up 
as  best  they  could.  Nor  W(juld  the  insane  bigotry  of  the 
place  and  period  allow  them  even  this,  had  it  been  known 
in  time  I 

NEW    ITAMPSniRE. 

New  Hampshire  had  its  first  church  at  Claroniont  as 
early  as  1823.  The  little  edifice  was  erected  l»v  Rev.  Vir- 
gil  Jlorace  Barber,  a  distinguished  convert,  and  zealous  priest. 
The  liev.  Mr.  Barber's  father.  Rev.  Daniel  l>ari)er,  also  be- 
came a  Catholic.  On  retiring  from  his  flock,  l)y  whom  he 
was  beloved,  into  the  true  fold,  the  aged  minister  said: 
"  I  now  I'etire  to  the  shades  of  poverty ;  may  the  faults 
wliicli  I  have  committed  while  among  you  be  written  on  the 
sands  of  the  sea-shore,  that  the  next  returning  wave  may 
wash  them  into  oblivion  !  " 

Through  the  zeal  of  Rev.  Jeremiah  O'Callaghan,  a  ven- 
erable Ii'ish  clergyman,  a  neat  little  church  was  erected  at 
Burlington,  Vermont,  and  dedicated  by  Bishop  Fenwick,  in 
1832. 

Persecution  but  added  to  the  devotion  of  the  faithful, 
and  soon  there  was  no  important  town  in  New  England 
that  did  not  possess  its  humble  Catholic  church.  In  1835 — 
ten  years  after  his  arrival — Bishop  Fenwick  numbered  his 
spiritual  children  at  40,000,  with  twenty-seven  priests  and 
twenty-two  churches. 

In  1844,  the  See  of  Hartford  was  erected,  with  Right 
Rev,  Dr.  Tyler — a  convert — as  its  first  Bishop.  The  new 
diocese  comprised  Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island. 

DEATH    OF    DR.    FENVVFCK. 

Two  years  more  rolled  by,  and  the  good,  the  untiring 


Its  History  from    1S15  to  1850. 


251 


ninlioj)  Feinvit'k  died,  Iciiviti;^  Iteliiiul  Ijiiii  the  inijtcrislmljlo 
lui'inory  of  nn  illiiHti'iouH  namp,  and  tlie  inommit'iits  of  an 
unsiirpassod  zoal.  IFu  was  succeeded  by  the  Jti^lit  Kev. 
John  |].  Fitzpatrick. 

Ill  the  early  part  of  tin's  century,  a  Catholic  priest,  in 
many  parts  of  New  En<!^land,  was  regarded  as  a  singularity, 
a  real  human  curiosity.  However  young  in  years,  he  was 
generally  called  "the  old  priest,"  or  perhaps  "the  Paddy 
])riest."  Some  people  would  go  several  uiiles  to  get  a  look 
at  him,  and  in  tht;ir  merited  tlisajipointnient  would  remark : 
*'  Well,  he  is  no  great  show  after  all ! " 

The  adventures — often  laughable — of  Catholic  mission- 
aries would  fairly  furnish  material  for  a  volume.  On  one 
occasion,  the  Rev.  James  Fitton*  was  called  to  administer 
the  rights  of  religion  to  a  dying  (Miristian.  The  call  being 
iifty  miles  distant,  he  carried,  as  usual,  his  valise,  which 
contained  the  vestments  and  all  else  requisite  to  offer  the 
holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass.  In  the  sea])ort  town  to  which 
he  went,  there  were  a  few  hard-working  sons  of  the  Emerald 
Isle,  who  no  sooner  heard  of  the  priest's  arrival,  than  they 
came  to  bid  him  a  thousand  welcomes.  Learning  that  he 
was  to  remain  over  night,  they  rejoicingly  carried  his  valise 
to  a  house  in  another  part  of  the  town  near  where  they 
lived,  that  they  might  have  Mass  before  going  to  their  day's 
work  the  following  morning.  With  the  arrival  of  the 
stage-coach,  there  came  the  same  evening  a  schooner  from 
New  York  with  a  lady  passenger  on  board,  who,  when 
ahout  to  embark  the  following  morning,  found,  to  her 
great  disaj)pointment,  that  her  trunk  and  wearables  were 
missing.  The  police  were  soon  on  the  alert,  and  Irishmen 
were  reported  to  have  been  seen  the  evening  previous,  hur- 
r}ing  along  the  street  with  one  trunk,  for  certain — if  not 
two!  They  were  soon  ferreted  out,  and  the  Kev.  Mr.  Fittoii 
had  just  finished  Mass    as    the  force    entered  to  seize  the 


*  At  present,  the  aged  and  revered  pastor  of  the  Church  of 
the  Most  Holy  Redeemer,  Boston. 


'u    ■ 


■.■■■,.( 


■1' 


!■     ! 


t    f 


mi 


III  J 


i 

I 

I 


\ 


mhki 


11 


252  Catiiolicity  in  the   United  States 

surmised  tliicves,  trunk  and  all !  The  little  valise  was  scru- 
tinized and  examined  thorouii;ldy ;  but,  however  turned  or 
twisted,  it  would  not  swell  into  anything;  like  a  decent- 
sized  travelling  trunk !  There  was  my.stery,  however, 
somewhere.  The  officers  were  puzzled,  and  left  for  con- 
sultation. To  he  outwitted  bj  "a  PopiBli  priest,  and  a 
party  of  ignorant  Irishmen,"  was  too  bad !  By  and  by, 
otliers  came,  and  lest  there  might  be  some  legerdemain  or 
trickery  in  traubforming  the  trunk  into  a  valise,  everything 
had  to  be  opened  out  and  again  displayed,  that  they  might 
testify,  as  one  of  the  offic'als  remarked,  "  that  there  were 
no  female  wearables  about  it !  "  * 


IV.     THE  CIIURCII  IN  THE  SOUTHERN  STATES. 

THE    SOUTHERN    STATE?. 

The  marvelous  impulse  which  the  tide  of  immigration 
gave  to  Catiiolicity  in  the  North  and  AVest  was  wanting  at 
the  South.  Slavery  existed.  Labo)'  was  cheap.  The  immi- 
grants found  but  few  inducements  in  this  state  of  thinurs ; 
and  comparatively  speaking,  the  number  was  small  that  bent 
their  steps  towards  this  portion  of  our  country.  Hence,  we 
must  not  expect  that  ra]>id  advance  of  the  faith  which  we 
have  witnessed  in  higher  latitudes. 

In  1717,  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Dubourg,  the  recently  aj^poiiited 
])ishop  of  New  Orleans,  returned  to  his  diocese,  fi'om 
Europe.  The  old  cleniouts  of  discord  and  revolt  had  not 
yet  calmed  down,  and  the  ju'udent  prolate  deemed  it  inex- 
pedient to  lix  his  residence  in  the  capital  of  Louisiana.  He 
made  Missouri  for  a  time  the  theatre  of  his  a))ostolic  zeal. 
Under  his  care  the  Church  at  St.  Louisf  grew  and  nourished. 

*  "Sketches  of  the  Church  ui  Now  England.'' 

t  Rev.  Fathi'i- D'Aiulreis,  CM.,  one  of  the  pioneer  priests  of 
tlie  Congrep:ation  of  the  jMission,  was  the  lirst  resident  priest  at 
St.  liouis.  He  went  tliere  in  the  fall  of  1817.  liefore  that  dnte, 
"  Rev.  Mr.  ]javiiie,  curate  at  ( .'akokies  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  Mississippi  River,  went  to  St.  Louis  every  three  weeks.'' 
— Deuther's  "  Life  of  Bishop  Tiuion." 


-^--j — _ni__ 


Its  History  from   i  S 1 5  to  1850. 


25. 


]]isliop  Dubourg,  in  1823,  removed  1:0  New  Orleans;  wliile 
Kight  Kev.  Joseph  Kosati  whs  appointed  to  the  responsible 
position  of  coadjutor.  Tiirce  years  later,  owing  to  intoler- 
able annoyances  and  oppositions  from  clergy  and  laity,  J)r. 
Dubourg  resigned  his  si^e,  and  returned  to  his  native  France, 
lie  was  succeeded  at  New  Orleans  by  the  Right  Rev.  Leo 
de  Nekei'e.  The  city  of  St.  Louis  was  now  an  episcopal 
see,*  of  which  Dr.  Rosati  was  the  incumbent ;  while  Ih'shop 
I'ortier  was  appointed  to  govern  the  newly-estabhshed  dio- 
cese of  Mobile. 

DR.    ENGLAND. 

In  1820,  Dr.  John  England,  an  Irish  i)riest  of  great  learn- 
ing and  zeal,  took  possession  of  the  see  of  Charleston,  S.  G. 
When  he  arrived  in  his  diocese,  which  embraced  the  Caro- 
linas  and  Georgia,  it  could  count  but  live  or  six  small  churches, 
with  only  two  clergymen  in  the  Held.  Bishop  l]ngland  led 
a  most  active  and  hiborious  life.  Jle  travelled  hundreds  of 
miles,  lecturing,  preaching,  writing,  teaching — doing  every- 
thing, in  short,  in  his  large  and  scattered  diocese,  (bid  called 
the  great  man  to  Himself,  in  18-12 ;  and  thousands  mourned 
the  irreparable  loss  which  the  Church  of  the  United  States 
sustained  in  his  death. 

PKOGKESS    LSr   KENTUCKY    AND    TUE    WEST. 

From  Maryland,  Catholicity  found  its  way  into  Kentucky  ; 
and  Kentucky  soon  became  the  grand  centre  whence  the 
Faith  radiated  in  all  directions.  In  1820,  the  diocese  of 
Bardstown,  governed  by  Dr.  Flaget,  had  about  foi'ty  thou- 
S'md  Catholics,  with  thirty-tive  churches,  attended  by  twen- 
ty-live priests. 

This  was  remarkable  progress,  considering  that  a  quarter 
of  a  century  previously  there  were  but  one  rude  church  and 
one  priest  in  the  same  vast  territory.  The  venerable  i)re- 
late  of  Bardstown,  Kentucky,  was  yet  the  only  bishop  be- 
tween  the  Alleghany  Mountains  and  the  Mississippi.     In 


[!«)! 


m 


*  Became  an  Episcopal  See  in  1826. 


it 


f  ?i 


!      I 


!  ! 


I|#  ?.'^> 


.imw.LM.i.^wj.1   tiuimii]i-iiiiiii.imiiiwwiiwBi 


»f! 


r254  Catholicity  ifi  the   United  States. 

1820,  Ohio,  Michigan,  Indiana,  and  Illinois  had  eacli  a  few 
churches  and  resident  priests.  Tennessee,  howev^er,  had 
neither  priest  nor  church.  Owing  to  various  difficulties,  this 
State  had  been  visited  but  four  times  by  that  apostolic  pio- 
neer, the  liev.  S.  T.  Badin,  the  only  priest  who  had  yet 
ventured  to  penetrate  its  forests. 

But  as  time  passed  on,  the  church  advanced  with  commend- 
able rapidity.  Missionaries  toiled  with  apostolic  zeal.  ISTew 
dioceses  were  established,  and  Tennessee,  which  did  not 
possess  a  priest  seventeen  years  before,  became  the  diocese 
of  Nashville  in  LS3T.  The  See  of  Bardstown — the  cradle 
of  religion  in  Kentucky — was  transferred  to  Louisville.'^ 
The  revered  names  of  Flaget,  David,  l>adin,  Nerinckx, 
Byrne,  Spalding,  and  others  became  household  words  amon^r 
the  Catholics  of  the  Mississippi  Valley. 

VIRGINIA. 

In  Vij'ginia,  the  progress  of  the  Faith  was  never  rapid. 
On*^  Catholic  missionary  traversed  the  State  in  1820.  Ten 
yeai's  after  it  couid  claira  but  four  priests.  The  Eight  Rev. 
Richard  Y.  AVhalen  was  appointed  bishop  of  Richmondf  in 
1841,  at  which  date  the  Catholic  population  of  the  State 
probably  amounted  to  ten  thousand.  On  account  of  the 
number  of  the  faithful  in  AYheeling,  AVest  Virginia,  Bishop 
Whalen  fixed  his  residence  there ;  and  after  some  years  it 
became  his  episcopal  see,  as  the  State  was  divided,  and  Dr. 
John  McGill  was  nominated  Bishop  of  Richmond. 

The  onward  march  of  the  Faith  in  other  j-'arts  of  the  South 


i  ■  * 


*  This  occnrrpd  in  1841. 

t  Kt.  Rev.  I'atrick  Kellv,  a  native  of  Ireland,  was  named  bv 
the  Holy  See,  Bishop  of  Richmond,  in  1820.  Ho  landed  at  Nor- 
folk, Va.,  and  had  to  teach  school  to  support  himself.  The 
authorities  at  Rome,  having  reconsidered  the  appointment,  re- 
called Dr,  Kelly,  who  became  bishop  of  Waterford,  Ireland. 
Virginia  was  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Archbishop  of  Ralti- 
moro  until  1841. 


Its  History  from   1815  to  1850. 


255 


-was  noticeable.  By  the  admission  of  Texas'^'  the  Chnreh 
received  additional  streni^th ;  and  tlie  erection  of  the  sees 
of  Xatchez,  Little  Eock,  Galveston,  and  Sar  annah,  pointed 
to  the  progress  of  Catholicity  along  the  lower  Mississippi, 
on  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  along  the  Atlantic  coast. 


V.     THE  WESTEEN  STATES. 

In  the  Western  States  the  faith  had  never  entirely  died 
away  since  the  remote  times  when  the  Jesuit  Fathers 
jtrcached  the  Gospel  to  the  wild  tribes  along  tlie  shores  of 
til  '  uTcat  lakes  and  on  the  banks  of  the  mighty  M'ssissi])pi. 
J  atliers  IJadin,  Kichard,  and  Flaget,  as  they  traversed  the 
forests  of  Indiana,  Illinois,  Ohio,  Michigan,  and  other 
States,  towards  the  close  of  the  last  centm-y,  revived  the 
liu  niory  of  the  blackrobes  among  the  red  men,  and  carried 
ihe  consolations  of  religion  to  a  few  scattered  Catholics  who 
had  settled  down  in  the  wilderness  of  the  far  West. 

A   DOMINICAN   MISSIONARY. 

Father  Edward  D.  Fenwick,  O.S.D.,f  began  to  penetrate 
the  primeval  woods  of  Ohio  in  1814,  and  in  his  first  apos- 
tolical excursion  he  found  three  Catholic  families  in  the 
center  of  the  State.  The  number  gradually  increased,  iiiid 
four  years  later  St.  Joseph's  church   in  Perry  county  was 

*  Ihe  visit  of  Rev.  Fatber  Timon  to  Texas,  in  1838,  revealed 
the  sad  state  of  religion  tlxere.  There  wci-e  o»dy  two  priests  in 
the  State — tlien  independent —and  tliey  led  scandalous  lir'(  . 
Very  Rev.  Father  Tiiiion,  a.^  i'ret'eet  Apostolic,  gave  the  fir;  t  im- 
pulse to  religion  iu  Texas. 

^  Father  E.  ]).  Fenwick,  O.S.D.,  was  a  cousin  of  lit.  Rev. 
IkMiedict  J.  Fenwick,  Bishop  of  Boston.  He  was  born  iu  Mary- 
land in  17C8,  and  received  liis  education  in  Europe  at  the  Col- 
lege of  Bornheiui,  near  Antwerp,  an  institution  which  was 
uiuior  the  control  of  the  English  Dominicans.  He  became  a 
member  of  this  fan»ou.s  order,  which  he  afterwards  introduced 
into  tho  United  States,  in  1805. 


I 


Sil'.'S 
"■{■ 


^ '  li 


'iW:-- 


•' 


f/   f 


h 


i»MKi'»t<WlltiaM 


256  Catholicity  in  the   United  States. 

solemnly  blessed.  This  was  the  first  Catholic  cliurcli  erected 
in  Ohio.  On  one  of  liis  missionary  expeditions,  Father 
Fen  wick  visited  Cincinnati,  in  which,  to  his  great  delight, 
he  found  seven  Catholic  families ! 


\\ 


MICHAEL    SCOTT    AND    TUB    FIRST   MASS    IN    CINCINNATI. 

For  3^ears  they  had  been  deprived  of  the  graces  of  the 
sacraments,  of  the  holy  Mass.  of  all  the  consolations  of  relig- 
ion, save  their  faith.  The  oldest  of  these  sturdy  Catholic 
pioneers  of  Ohio  was  the  venerable  Michael  Scott,  who  had 
immigrated  from  Baltimore  to  Cincinnati  in  1805.  As  a 
proof  of  his  piety  and  lofty  faith,  it  is  related  that  on  one 
occasion,  at  Easter,  he  travelled  with  his  wife  and  children 
from  Cincinnati  to  Lexington,  Kentucky,  a  distance  of 
about  one  hundred  miles,  to  hear  Mass.  Consideiiiig  the 
hardships  of  such  a  journey  at  that  early  period,  we  can 
appreciate  the  sublime  devotion  that  prompted  it,  and 
sympathize  with  those  heroic  Christians  in  the  disappoint- 
ment they  sustained  on  their  arrival  at  Lexington.  The 
priest  was  not  there.  lie  had  been  summoned  on  urgent 
duty  to  a  distant  point.  But  no  disappointments  could 
diminish  the  ardor  of  these  good  people.  Like  a  ])atriarch, 
Mr.  Scott  kept  the  spirit  of  religion  alive  in  his  family,  by 
the  observance  of  such  devotions  as  are  not  denied  even 
to  the  wilderness.  He  promised  his  children  that  a  time 
should  come,  a  more  happy  day  should  arrive,  when  God 
in  His  goodness  would  send  them  Ilis  anointed  minister  to 
console  them  with  the  blessings  of  religion.  His  words 
were  ])rophetic.  They  were  realized  in  the  person  of  Father 
Fenwick.  Fitr  the  first  time  the  holy  Mass  was  offered  up 
in  the  city  of  Cincinnati  by  this  Apostolic  priest,  in  the 
dwell iiiij  of  Mr.  Scott  !* 


Cincinnati's  first  bishop. 


In  1822,  the  zealous  Dominican   \s.\a  consecrated  Bishop 
*  "Lives  of  the  Deceased  Bishops,"  Vol.  I. 


Its  Hidory  from   1815  to  1850. 


25; 


of  Cmciimati.  At  that  date  Oliio  had  about  eight  thou- 
sand Catliolics;  wliile  Michigan  could  muster  fully  twelve 
thousand,  and  several  of  ''he  neighboring  States  might  each 
claim  some  thousands.  To  attend  to  the  spiritual  wants  of 
this  large  and  rapidly  increasing  flock,  Dr.  Fenwick  could 
provide  but  seven  priests.  But  he  was  a  host  in  himself, 
and  marshalled  his  small  force  to  the  best  advantage.  Con- 
gregations were  formed  at  all  im])()rtant  points,  and  churches 
sprang  up  as  if  by  magic.  Through  the  zeal  of  Eev. 
Gabriel  Richard,  a  Catholic  church  was  built  at  Detroit 
in  ISIT,"^^'  Ih'shop  Fenwick  had  the  happiness  of  dedicating 
his  ncA'  cathedral  in  1820;  and  three  years  later,  Ohio 
could  boast  of  possessing  eleven  Catholic  churches ! 

But  the  progress  of  the  faith  is  generally  attended  by 
persecution.  The  spirit  of  fanaticism  which  agitated  New 
England,  found  its  way  to  the  peaceful  West.f  Sectarians 
pretended  to  l)e  alarmed.  Both  press  and  pulpit  joined  in 
the  bitter  howl.  The  great  Valley  of  the  Mississippi  must 
be  rescued  from  "  the  chains  of  Popery  !  "  However,  the 
cry  of  the  bigots  finall}'  died  away,  leaving  r  aught  behind 
save  the  memorv  of  a  diso-racef  ul  noise  ! 

A  hero  of  char'ty,  Dr.  Fenwick  passed  from  the  scene  of 
his  earthly  labors  in  1832  revered  and  mourned  by  the 
entire  Church  of  tlie  i^forthwest,  of  which  he  may  be  justly 
considered  the  founder.  He  was  succeeded  by  the  Right 
Rev.  John  B.  Purcell,  who  was  ct^nsecrated  the  following 
year.  A  brief  account  of  his  long  and  glorious  episcopate  will 
be  found  further  on. 


.!'• 


■ ' 


THE    8TAK    OF    FAITH    TAKES    ITS    WAY    WESTWARD. 

The  stream  of  emigration  continued  to  flow  westward, 
and  cities  rose  from  the  wiMcrnoss.  The  sound  of  tlie  axe, 
which  told  tliat  num  was  engaged  in  the  eon([ues^  of  the 
forest,  was  soon   succeeded  by  the  •*  soimd  of  the  church- 

*  VVljt'U  France  and  her  Indian  ailieei  ruled  iu  the  West,  Detroit 
Imd  itH  Catholic  place  of  worship  as  early,  1  believe,  as  1720. 
t  Hoo  note,  p.  219. 

17 


I  ^ 


f 


--i 


258  CatJiolicity  in  the  United  States. 

going  bell."  Until  1834,  Milwaukee  was  the  home  of  the 
Indian.  In  that  year  a  French  Canadian  settled  there  as  a 
trader  in  furs.  lie  is  jnstly  called  tlic  father  of  the  city 
that  soon  after  sprung  up  on  the  shore  of  Lake  Michigan, 
and  the  founder  of  the  church  of  which  he  was  the  earliest 
and  most  liberal  benefactor.  It  was  not  until  towards  the 
year  1837  that  the  Catholics  of  Milwaukee  had  the  services 
of  a  priest  permanently  settled  in  that  city.  Tlie  Ilev. 
Patriclc  Kelly  then  became  pastor  of  some  thirty  souls.  Tlie 
Urst  church  was  erected  in  Mi^'vaukee  in  1839.  It  was  then 
the  only  temple  of  worship  m  the  State  of  Wisconsin.- 

Of  Chicago,  and  the  rise  of  tiie  Ccitholic  Church  there, 
the  same  dates  and  language  might  almost  be  repeated. 

The  faith  was  planted  in  Oregon  by  Rev.  F.  N.  Blanchet 
and  Rev.  Modesto  Demers.  They  were  scut  by  the  Arch- 
bishop of  Quebec,  whose  jurisdiction  extended  to  the  Pacific 
coast.  They  arrived  at  Fort  Van  Couver  in  November, 
1838,  having  passed  the  summit  of  the  Rocky  Mountains 
by  the  lifty-seconcl  degree  of  north  latitude.  For  four  years 
these  two  apostolic  men  toiled  alone  in  the  wild  field  of 
their  labors.  The  number  of  priests  increased.  In  1846 
Oregon  City  was  raised  to  the  rank  of  a  metropolitan  see, 
Avith  Dr.  F.  N.  Blanchet,t  as  first  Archbishop. 

The  onward  progress  of  Catholicty  in  the  Mississippi  Val- 
ley was  as  steady  as  it  was  rapid.  Detroit, :{:  Vincenues,§  Du- 
buque,! Chicago, ^[  Milwaukee,**  Cle\eland,tt  St.  Paul,:};:}: 
and  other  cities,  one  aftei"  another,  were  erected  into  epis- 
copal sees,  and  bishops  soon  became  more  numerous  than 
prie«'t,8  formei'ly  were. 

♦  J.  F.  Maguire. 

tTliis  voncnibl"'  prelate,  the  Apostle  of  Oregon,  and  the 
Ural  Arclibisliop  of  the  Great  West,  is,  in  this  ('enteiinial  year, the 
(Wdest  member  of  thr  American  episcopute,  being  in  his  eighty- 
first  your.  Though  an  Archbishop  for  thirty  years. he  has  no  secre- 
tary, but  writes  his  own  letters,  and  works  lik.  ;i  ijo  ;/  )stle. 
He  is  one  of  the  groat  old  men  —  too  rapidly,  alas,  j-  --ng 
away  I 

|fnl832,  §183-1,  11837,  rri8M,  ^^' \?>U,  it  1847,  U  1850. 


Its  History  from   1815  to  1850. 


259 


STATE   OF   THE   CIIURCIT   IN    1850. 

"We  liave  now  reached  tlie  middle  of  the  present  century. 
Let  lis  pause  and  review  the  state  of  the  Church  in  our 
country  towards  the  close  of  the  year  1850.  The  Holy 
Father  had  just  been  pleased  to  elevate  New  York,  Cincin- 
nati, and  New  Orleans  to  the  rank  of  metropolitan  sees. 
There  were  then  six  ecclesiastical  provinces,  embracing  the 
following  dioceses  : 

1st.  The  See  of  Baltimore,  Most  Rev.  Samuel  Eccleston, 
D.I).,  Archbishop,  with  the  Bishops  of  Philadelphia,  Rich- 
mond, Wheeling,  Savannah,  Charleston,  and  Pittsburg  as 
suffragans. 

'2d.  The  See  of  Oregon  City,*  Most  Rev.  Francis  Norbert 
Blanchet,  D.D.,  Archbishop,  M'ith  the  Bishops  of  AValla- 
AValla  and  Vancouver  Island  as  suffragans. 

3d.  The  See  of  St.  Louis,t  ]\[ost  Rev.  Peter  Richard  Ken- 
rick,  D.I).,  Archbishop,  with  the  Bishops  of  Dubuque, 
Nashville,  St.  Paul,  Chicago,  and  Milwaukee  as  suffragans. 


4tli. 


The  See  of  New  York,;}:  Most   Rev.  John  Hughes, 


D.D.,  Arclibishop,  with  the  Bishops  of  Boston,  Hartford, 
Albau}-,  and  Buffalo  as  suffragans. 

5th.  The  vSee  of  Cincinnati,  Most  Rev.  John  Baptist  Pur- 
cell,  D.D.,  Archbishop,  with  the  Bishops  of  Louisville,  De- 
troit, Vincennes,  and  Cleveland  as  suffragans. 

Gth.  The  See  of  New  Orleans,  Most  Rev.  Anthony  Blanc, 
D.D.,§  Arclibishop,  with  the  Bishops  of  Mobile,  Natchez, 
Jittle  Rock,  and  Galveston  as  suffragans. 

California  and  other  newly-ae(juired  territory  had  not  yet 
been  erected  into  a  province,  but  possessed  two  episcopal 
sees — S;in  Francisco  and  Moiitci'ey  ;  besides,  there  was  the 
recently  estal)lished  Yicariate-Apostolic  of  Santa  Fe,  New 
Mexico. 

Entablished  an  a  metropolitan  seo  in  184C. 

t  Establislu'd  a^  a  metropolitan  seo  in  1817. 

\  New  York.  Cincinnati,  and  New  Orleans  became  metropolitan 
f*ee.s  ill  the  fall  of  1850. 

§  01' The  six  Archbi.rhop.s,  one  was  an  Anuiican,  lliree  of  Iri.sli 
l)irtU,  a»d  t*,.,  .»f  French  oritTJn. 


i  t  A  oT 


!* 


5;: 


I 


260  Catholicity  in  tJic  United  States.  ' 

Tlie  Ciitliolie  (Jliiirc-li  of  the  United  States,  at  that  period, 
consisted  of  six  Aivhhishops,  tliirty-threc  P>ishops,  eighteen 
hundred  priests,  and  a  Cathohe  popuhition  of  over  three 
niilJions! 

It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  remark  that  tiiis  marvellous  ad- 
vance of  the  Faitli  M'as  chiefly  owing  to  immigration,  though 
it  cannot  be  denied  that  hundreds  left  the  ranks  of  error  to 
find  peace  and  happiness  in  the  true  fold.  But  it  was  especi- 
ally from  1840  to  1850  that  the  American  Church  received 
an  astonishiniij  increase  in  numljcrs.  Dui'inj;  that  decade  the 
immigration  to  our  country  was  composed  aimualln  of  about 
two  hundred  thousand  Irish  and  eighty  thousand  Germans. 
The  great  majority  of  the  former  nationalit}^  were  Catholics ; 
while  we  may  count,  perhaps,  one-half  of  the  latter  as  be- 
longing to  the  true  faith.  The  number  of  Bishops  during 
the  same  period  was  more  than  doubled,  as  seventeen  new 
sees  were  established.  The  priests  were  augmented  from 
four  hundred  and  eighty-two  to  eighteen  hundred  !  But  the 
following  table,  showing  the  annual  progress  of  the  Church  * 
during  that  decade,  will  abundantly  speak  for  itself : 

TABLE. 


Year , 

1840  18  U  1842  1843 

1844 

1 

"1 

17 
617 
611 
461 

19 

11 

50* 

ISIF  1846  1847  1848    184it 

1850 

Archdioceses 

Dioceses 

Archbishops 

Bishops  

Priests  

\ 

16 
482 
451 
35S 

13 
!» 

47 

1       1       1 

15  15     15 
1       1       1 

16  16      17 
5-i8    541    5(51 
512    541    660 
301    470    475 

14     17,     18 
m     11'     11 
48      49     50* 

\\      2       3       3   i      3 
20'    20!    21  i    24  !    24 

1       2       3       3   i      3 

24     24      24     25        26 

6S.'j'  737.  80-1  1000*  1400* 

0 

27 

0 

27 
1800 

C'hurches 

675    710    812    !)07      9(;0 

1073 

k.   tions 

Ecclesiaetical  Instltutlous  t. 
Cclloires  +                   ..         .... 

5i)2   mv  572    577      5l)i"»* 
22     22      22     22        25 
12     14      14      14        15 
63     63     03      74       86 

60(i* 
29 
17 

Female  Academies  + 

91 

*  The  author  is  ui'certain  as  to  the  accuracy  of  the  numbers  marked  *. 

t  The  progress  of  Catholic  education  and  the  work  of  the  Religious  Oidors  claim  dis- 
tinct cliapters— hence  thej'  arc  scarcely  alluded  to  in  the  foregoinn  epitome  of  Cluirc'j 
hietory. 

'*  111  speaking  of  the  causes  which  aided  the  jirogress  of  the 
Chiircli  in  our  country,  't  would  be  unpardonable  to  overlook 
that  admirable  society — "The  Association  for  the  Prox)agatiou 
of  the  Faith.''  Wlien  Bishop  J)ubourg  was  i)assing  through 
Lyons,  Franci\  in  1815,  he  earnestly  reconiineiided  the  wants  of 
his  diof'ese  to  the  charitable  of  that  city.      A  pious  lady  re- 


RIGHT  REV.  B.  J.  FLAflET,  D.D.,* 

Pii'st  Bishnp  of  LmiUmlle. 

"  nuraility  goeth  before  glory." 

Dr.  Flagot  was  one  of  the  jj^reat  Bishops  of  our  early  Church. 
He  was  born  in  France,  in  17G3.  At  his  birth  he  was  named 
Benedict,  because  some  one  exclaimed  that  ^^  Jie  tons  a  son  of 
Inn  edict  ion.''''  Young  Flaget  made  his  course  of  philosopliy  in  the 
Uiiivorsity  of  Clermont,  after  which  he  entered  the  congregation 
of  St.  Sulpice,  and  was  ordained  priest.  For  several  years  after 
his  ordination,  he  filled  the  chair  of  Theology  in  the  Seminary 
of  Nantes.  The  terrors  of  the  French  Revolution  led  him  to 
direct  his  eyes  towards  America.  After  making  a  spiritual  re- 
treat and  consulting  his  supei-ior,  he  sailed  from  Bordeaux  in 
January,  1792,  in  company  with  Rev.  Messrs.  David  and  Badin. 
Bishop  Carroll  received  liim  with  joy,  and  appointed  him  to 
the  distant  mission  of  Yincennes,  Indiana.  Bearing  letters  of 
introduction  from  the  Bishop  to  General  Anthony  Wayne,  ho 
was  received  and  entertained  by  that  gallant  soldier  with  the 
greatest  friendship  and  contideration.  He  departed  from  Pitts- 
burg in  a  flat-boat,  stopped  at  Cincinnati,  then  only  a  fort,  and 
pushed  on  to  liouisville,  which,  at  that  time,  contained  only 
three  or  four  small  cabins.  In  December,  1702,  ho  reached  Vin- 
( onnes.  Here  he  found  both  church  and  people  in  a  most  neglect- 
ful and  unhappy  condition.  Religion  had  almost  died  out  at 
this  old  French  settlement.  Tlie  whites  were  little  removed  in 
barbarism  from  the  wandering  Indian.  On  the  Christmas  fol- 
lowing his  arrival  there  were  only  ttoehie  communicants.  It 
would  be  impossible  to  detail  in  brief  space  the  hardships  and 
dangers  encountered  by  this  holy  missionary.  However,  after 
two  years  and  a  half  of  zealous  labor  he  was  recalled  by  his 
superiors.  Upon  his  arrival  in  ^Maryland  he  was  appointed  pro- 
fessor in  Georgetown  College.  While  in  this  position  he  formed 
the  acquaintance  of  Gen.  Washington,   then  Presidr-nt  of  the 


sponded  to  his  appeal,  and  for  several  years  collected  all  she 
could  and  sent  it  toliim.  In  1822,  twelve  persons,  with  the  bless- 
ing of  the  Holy  Father,  founded  a  vast  association  to  assist  all 
the  missions  of  the  world.  Heaven  smiled  on  the  good  work, 
and  it  soon  assumed  gigantic  dimensions.  Many  a  poor  diocese 
in  our  countiy  did  it  aid  !  From  1822  till  1830,  it  generously 
contributed  to  the  missions  of  the  United  States  over  $2,000,000. 

*  Cliie^y  from  Di.  Clarke's  "Lives  of  the  Deceased  Bi3lioi)S,"  V^ol.  I. 

(261 ) 


-r~ 


262  Catholicity  in  tJie   United  States. 


United  Statos.  The  AbbC;  Flaf?f!t  wan  an  ardont  admirer  of  tlm 
illustriouH  patriot,  and  fifty  vearH  aftcn*  WaHliington'is  death  lie 
used  to  refer  to  him  in  lan{,'ua;fe  of  unbounded  praise. 

In  1801,  he  took  up  his  residence  at  St.  Mary's  Collepfo,  I?alti- 
more,  and  for  the  eight  following  years  his  life  passed  (£uietly 
away  in  tliat  institution.  At  tli(.>  suggestion  of  Rev.  Mr.  liadin, 
Bishop  Carroll  recommended  the  Abbe  Flaget  as  a  suitable  can- 
didate for  the  new  see  of  Bardstown,  Ky.  The  good  priest's 
liumility  was  alarmed,  but  ho  finally  allowed  himself  to  bo  con- 
secrated, in  1810. 

Such  was  Bishop  Flaget's  apostolic  poverty  that  he  had  not  the 
means  necessary  to  convey  him  to  liis  diocese.  Yet,  ho  utterly 
refused  any  assistance  from  liis  poor  flock,  declaring  that  he 
would  rather  walk  on  foot  to  Kentucky  than  commence  hi« 
career  by  thus  taxing  his  people.  Some  generous  friends  in  Bal- 
timore defrayed  his  expenses.  He  arrived  at  Louis^nlle  in  Juno, 
1811,  and  his  welcome  by  the  warm-hearted  Catholics  was  truly 
magnificent.  His  diocese  counted  seven  priests— Fathers  Ne- 
rinckx,  Badin,  and  O'Flynn,  and  four  Dominicans  at  the  Con- 
vent of  St.  Rose.  On  the  Christmas  following,  the  Bishop  raised 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Chabrat  to  the  priesthood.  He  was  the  firtit  priest 
ordained  in  the  West.  At  this  time  Kentucky  had  about  six 
thousand  Catholics,  comprising  thirty  congregations,  Avith  only 
ten  churches.  The  Bishop  took  up  his  abode  with  Father 
Badin,  at  Loretto,  Ms  episcopal  residence  being  a  log  cabin  sLvteen 
feet  square. 

With  a  somewhat  sad  and  heavy  heart  he  surveyed  the  vast 
field  of  his  labors — the  Mississippi  Valley.  But  his  zeal  and 
activity  knew  no  bounds.  He  visited  all  the  congregations  of 
Kentucky  twice  before  the  year  1815.  During  one  missionary 
trip  he  confirmed  nearly  one  thousand  three  hundred  persons. 
Not  even  the  most  remote  French  and  Indian  missions  escaped 
his  watchful  care.  One  of  his  journeys  extended  over  a  distance 
of  2,000  miles.  "Wherever  Bishop  Flaget  pitched  hig  tent," 
says  a  writer,  "he  laid  the  foundations  of  a  new  church,  and 
each  of  his  principal  halts  was  destined  to  become  a  bishopric. 
There  is  Vincennes,  in  Indiana  ;  Detroit,  in  Michigan  ;  Cincin- 
nati, the  principal  city  of  Ohio  ;  Eric  and  Buftalo,  on  the  borders 
of  the  lakes  ;  and  Pittsburg,  which  he  evangelized  in  returning 
to  Louisville,  after  thirteen  months  absence — after  having  given 
missions  wherever  on  his  route  there  was  a  colony  of  whites,  a 
plantation  of  slaves,  or  a  village  of  Indians."  In  1817,  Father 
David  was  appointed  his  coadjutor. 


Its  History  from   1815  to  1850. 


263 


The  vast  extent  of  lils  jurisdiction  pave  liini  proat  inllnr'nco  as 
a  iiKMubcM'  of  till!  AiucricaM  llicrarcliy.  Wlicn  attcnillii;;  tlio 
Council  of  lialtiuioro  in  1S2!),  on  being  introduccMl  for  tiie  tlrst 
time  to  the  iliustrion.s  Dr.  England,  Mishop  Flag(;t  exclaimed  : 
"Allow  me  to  kis.s  the  liand  that  has  written  so  many  line 
things!"  Dr.  England  promptly  replied:  "  Permit  me  to  kis.s 
the  hands  which  have  done  so  nnich  good  !  " 

During  his  long  episcopate,  Bishop  Flaget  consecrated  BiHhop.s 
David,  Fonwick,  Brute,  Kenrick,  Cliabrat,  Spalding,  and  Pur- 
cell,  now  the  venerable  metropolitan  of  Cincinnati. 

The  saintly  and  heroic  prelate  died  in  1850,  in  the  eighty- 
seventh  year  of  his  ago,  duringfifty-sevenof  whichhe  had  labored 
in  America.  The  Mississippi  Valley  is  covered  with  monumont.s 
of  piety  that  mutely  proclaim  his  praise,  lie  left  behind  him  a 
diocese  so  flourishing  that  it  was  once  called  "The  Garden  of 
the  American  Chundi."  Where,  in  the  beginning,  ho  could  not 
find  a  priest  without  undertaking  a  week's  journey,  he  lived  to 
see  two  Archbishops  and  eight  Bishops  presiding  over  a  numer- 
ous clergy  and  an  innumerable  i.rity.  His  last  words  might  v«rell 
be  those  of  tho  holy  Simeon  :  ^^  Nunc  dimittis  servum  tuuin 
Domint,  secundum  verhum  tuuni  inpace.''^ 


'  1 


M  If 


I  IM- 1 « 

,  Ml 

■  ■  ■  jiV 

.A. 

"mi 


\  :wm 


r<  Vi 


m 


'Wa 


n^p 


■^H 


r. 


)      i 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


;f  iiM 


2.5 


IM    12.2 

m 

140     III!  2.0 


1.4    111.6 


V] 


^>v 


'e^. 


W  % 


^^  ;>^' 


/. 


^ 


/A 


y 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


V 


s 


,v 


^<?) 


V 


^ 


:\ 


\ 


<> 


<> 


% 


'<*) 


v^ 


7'*  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14S80 

(716)  872-4503 


f/j 


(     t 


HIS  EMINENCE  JOHN  LOUIS  DE  CHEVERUS,* 

First  Bishop  qf  Boston  and  afterwards  Cardinal-Archbishop  qf 

Bordeaux. 

"  Mark  the  perfect  man,  and  behold  the  upright."— Psalhs, 

John  Louis  de  Chevcrus  was  born  at  Mayenne,  France,  in 
1768.  His  mother  was  a  lady  ol  eminent  piety  and  prudence. 
"  My  son,"  she  would  often  repeat  after  the  example  of  Queen 
Blanche.  "  God  is  my  witness  how  much  I  love  you;  but  rather 
would  I  see  you  dead  before  me  than  that  you  should  commit  a 
single  mortal  sin."  During  play-time  he  was  known  as  "the 
merriest  lad  at  school,"  and  in  hours  of  study  he  was  the  best 
student.  On  the  day  of  his  first  communion,  he  dedicated  him- 
self to  God  one  day  to  become  His  minister.  After  finishing  a 
brilliant  courst.  of  studies  at  the  College  of  Louis  le  Grand,  the 
Sorbonne,  and  other  institutions,  he  was  ordained  in  1790,  and 
two  years  later  became  parish  priest  of  Mayenne. 

Calamities  were  now  hastening  upon  unhappy  France.  The 
followers  of  religion  heard  the  fierce  storms  of  the  Revolution 
roar  around  them.  All  was  danger.  Society  appeared  to  have 
gone  mad.  Among  the  exiles  who  fled  in  disguise  from  Paris  to 
England  was  the  Abbe  de  Choverus.  Here  he  learned  our  lan- 
guage, and  supported  himself  by  becoming  a  teacher  of  French 
and  mathematics. 

In  1795,  he  received  a  letter  from  his  old  friend  and  country- 
man, the  Abbe  Matignon,  then  parish  priest  at  Boston,  inviting 
him  to  come  to  that  city  and  share  his  labors  in  a  new  and  fruit- 
ful vineyard.  He  at  once  made  over  his  patrimony  to  his 
brother  and  sisters,  and  embarked  for  Now  England.  In  "April, 
1796,  he  arrived  safely  at  Boston,  where  he  was  received  by  M. 
Matignon  as  an  angel  from  Heaven." 

It  will  easily  be  understood  that  these  two  great  and  saintly 
men  encountered  a  large  share  of  prejudice  in  the  capital  of 
New  England.  But  their  learning,  humility,  simplicity,  and 
gracefulness  of  manners  soon  produced  a  change.  Bigotry  was 
disarmed.  The  Bostonians  were  charmed.  In  the  persons  of 
her  ministers.  Catholicity  became  respected  and  honored  v/here 
before  it  had  only  been  a  reproach.  Never  did  virtue  and 
learning  gain  a  more  decided  victory  over  prejudice  and  intoler- 
ance. 


*  From  tlic  "Lives  of  the  DoccascJ  Bishop-.." 
(264) 


wmm 


Its  History  from   1815  to  1850. 


265 


After  some  time,  the  Abbu  Chevorus  began  to  preach  in  pub- 
lic. His  discourses,  remarkable  for  their  simple,  earnest  vigor, 
attracted  Protestants  in  crowds  to  hear  him.  Wlien  he  paid  his 
first  visit  to  the  Indians  of  Maine,  they  were  delighted.  The 
children  of  Father  Rale  warmly  Avelcomed  the  gentle  black- 
frown,  who  continued  ever  after  to  visit  thom  once  a  year.  When 
lioston  was  ravaged  with  yellow  fever,  his  heroism  made  the 
whole  city  his  friends.  In  such  high  esteem  was  the  excellent 
priest  held,  that  when  President  John  Adams  visited  Boston, 
and  was  honored  by  a  public  banquet,  the  two  highest  seats  at 
table  were  assigned  to  the  President  and  the  Abbe  Choverus. 
The  Legislature  of  Massachusetts  invited  him  to  revise  the  oath 
to  be  taken  by  all  citizens  before  elections,  fearing  that  there 
might  be  something  in  it  offensive  to  Catholics.  When  the 
good  Abb6  prepared  his  own  formula,  and  in  person  submitted 
it  to  the  Legislature,  it  was  at  once  eimcted  into  a  law.  He 
opened  a  subscription  list  for  a  new  church  ;  at  the  head  of 
it  stands  the  name  of  President  Adams.  Indeed,  Protestants 
vied  witli  Catholics  in  their  contributions  for  the  erection  of  the 
Church  of  the  Holy  Cross. 

By  Archbishop  Carroll,  Dr.  Cheverus  was  consecrated  Bishop 
of  Boston  in  1810.  But  his  change  of  rank  made  no  change  in 
liis  humble  mode  of  life,  or  in  his  simple,  modost,  and  generous 
bearing  towards  his  old  friends.  To  the  end,  he  treated  the 
good  Abbe  Matignon  as  his  superior  in  wisdom  and  merit. 

On  several  occasions  he  sustained  public  controversies  with 
Protestant  ministers,  in  which  his  superior  learning,  powers  of 
mind,  and  his  courteous  and  amiable  temper  always  gave  him 
great  advantage.  He  was  so  revered  that  it  was  the  custom  of 
mothers  to  call  their  children  John  in  his  honor.  Once  a  child 
was  brought  to  him  for  baptism.  "It's  name  ?"  inquired  Dr. 
Choverus.  "  John  Cheverus  Bishop,  "  he  was  told.  "  Poor 
child,"  he  replied,  "God  preserve  you  from  ever  becoming 
such." 

In  1816,  he  accomplished  his  long-cherished  design — theestab- 
lislnmnit  of  the  Ursuline  Convent  at  Boston  for  the  education 
of  young  ladies.  Ho  was  in  his  native  Franco  when,  in  after 
years,  he  heard  of  its  destruction.  When  the  venerated  Abbe 
Miiti>,'non  died,  the  Bishop  was  plunged  into  profound  grief. 
The  remains  of  the  honored  dead  were  borne  in  proces.<iou 
through  the  streets  of  Boston,  followed  by  Dr.  Cheverus,  w  jar- 
iiif,'  hia  mitre,  and  accompanied  by  the  clergy  and  the  whole 
congregation;  both  press  and  people  testifled  their  profound 
respect.     Such  was  Boston  sixty  years  ago  I 


m 


I    ^ii 


266  Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 

Before  the  daily  wear  and  tear  of  a  most  active  and  laboriouH 
life,  Bishop  Chovorus'  healtli  began  to  give  way.  His  physicians 
warned  him  that  if  ho  remained  in  that  latitude  he  could  not 
expect  to  live  much  longer.  For  three  years  he  hesitated  about 
returning  to  his  native  France,  for  as  ho  expresses  it,  "  his  heart 
was  torn  in  pieces  "  at  the  thought  of  leaving  his  beloved 
diocese. 

Louis  XVIII.  insisted,  however,  on  his  return,  and  oflFered 
him  the  vacant  see  of  Montauban.  Though  with  much  regret, 
he  accepted.  From  all  sides  generosity  brought  him  gifts, 
proving  the  esteem  in  which  he  was  held  by  all  creeds  and 
classes.  Among  others,  a  worthy  grocer  brought  him  six  thou- 
sand francs,  his  all,  and  laid  it  at  the  Bishop's  feet.  The  kind, 
but  firm  refusal  to  receive  it  brought  only  tears  to  the  good 
man's  eyes.  Adieus  came  to  him  from  all  parts  of  the  Union. 
"Although  placed  at  a  great  distance  from  me,"  writes  the 
Archbishop  of  Baltimore,  "you  were  next  to  God  my  firmest 
support.  Will  it  be  possible  for  mo  to  govern  my  province 
after  your  departure  ?" 

On  departing  from  Boston  he  was  escorted  by  over  three  hun- 
dred vehicles,  which  accompanied  him  many  miles  on  the  road 
to  New  York.  He  embarked  for  Franco  in  the  fall  of  1823,  and 
on  his  arrival,  took  possession  of  the  see  of  Montauban.  Full 
of  years  and  honors,  he  died  Cardinal  Archbishop  of  Bordeaux 
in  1836.     Two  nations  mourned  his  loss. 

Cardinal  Cheverus  had  a  finely-tempered  mind  and  heart. 
He  united  in  his  person  the  two  qualities  of  model  gentleman 
and  model  Christian.  On  one  occasion  while  walking  outside 
the  gates  of  Bordeaux,  he  was  accosted  by  a  beggar.  The  Car- 
dinal, who  could  never  refuse  an  alms,  put  his  hand  into  his 
pocket  and  gave  the  man  a  franc.  "Monseigneur,"  said  one  of 
his  attendants,  "  I  think  you  have  made  a  mistake.  The  man 
you  have  just  given  money  to  is  a  Jew."  "  Thank  you,"  replied 
the  Cardinal,  "it  is  true  I  did  not  know  it."  Then,  recalling 
the  beggar,  he  put  a  five-franc  piece  into  his  hand,  adding, 
"  There  are  so  few  who  would  give  him  anything  /" 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  CONNOLLY,   O.P.,   D.D.* 

*' Blessed  is  ho  that  considereth  the  poor."— PsAuis. 


John  Connolly  was  born  at  Drogheda,  Ireland,  in  1750.  Hla 
studies  were  completed  in  Belgium,  after  which,  proceeding  to 
Rome,  he  entered  the  Order  of  St.  Dominic.  In  the  Eternal 
City  he  fllled  several  professors'  chairs  with  distinguished  abil- 
ity; and  after  the  death  of  his  predecessor,  Dr.  Concanen,  he 
was  elected  Prior  of  St.  Clement's,  and  appointed  agent  at  Rome 
for  the  Bishops  of  Ireland.  The  aflfections  of  all  were  won  by 
his  great  learning  and  mildness.  His  pupils  long  cherished  his 
memory.    Many  of  them  became  distinguished  in  the  Church. 

On  the  return  of  Pius  VII.  to  Rome,  in  1814,  one  of  his  tirst 
acts  was  to  appoint  Dr.  Connolly  to  the  see  of  Now  York.  He 
was  consecrated  at  Rome  in  the  fall  of  that  year.  Though  sev- 
enty years  old,  the  heroic  Dominican  did  not  shrink  from  a  task 
that  might  well  have  startled  a  younger  man.  On  his  way  to 
America,  he  visited  his  loved,  native  land,  and  bade  a  last  fare- 
well to  all  his  kindred.  He  resolved,  he  said,  on  no  considera- 
tion to  have  near  or  about  him  a  single  relative,  in  the  adminis- 
tration of  his  diocese.  Another  object  which  he  had  in  view  in 
visiting  Ireland  was  to  obtain  priests  for  his  flock.  Ho  ordained 
Rev.  Michael  O'Gorman,  a  student  of  Kilkenny  College,  who  ac- 
companied the  Bishop  to  New  York.  The  voyage  was  a  long 
and  stormy  one,  lasting  sixty-seven  days. 

I  have  already  sketched  Dr.  Connolly's  labors  and  difficulties 
in  building  up  the  diocese  of  New  York.  A  few  additional 
facts,  liowever,  may  not  be  without  interest  and  value.  Send- 
ing,' Father  O'Gorman  to  Albany,  he  rcnmiuod  at  Now  York,  per- 
forming the  duties  of  priest  and  Bishop.  As  the  Jesuit  Fathers, 
Fonwick  and  Kohlman,  wore  soon  recalled  by  their  superiors, 
Bishop  Connolly  was  left  with  only  one  assistant.  Late  and  early 
the  aged  prelate  was  "up  and  doing,  with  a  heart  for  any  fate." 
His  residence,  his  mode  of  living — all  were  humble.  Nor  W(?ro 
his  people  of  the  wealthy  or  fashionable  .circles.  They  were 
chietly  emigrants  from  his  own  country,  earnestly  and  Ijonestly 
struggling  towards  that  position  of  prosperity  and  influence 
which  their  descendants  are  now  enjoying. 

Chiefly  from  "  The  Lives  of  the  Deceased  Bishops,"  aud  the  "  History  of 
Uie  Church  in  New  Yorli." 

(267) 


8    W 


268  CatJiolicity  in  the  Utiited  States, 

One  who  saw  the  Bishop  consecrating  the  cemetery  of  St. 
Patrick's  cathedral  in  1824  wrote:  "It  was  neither  the  milrB 
nor  the  crosier  that  arrested  our  attention,  for  our  thoughts 
wore  directed  to  the  being  wlioin  tliey  graced.  Like  the  herald 
of  (!:!liri8tianity,  ho  seemed  to  stand  with  awe  and  reverence  on 
tlio  very  confines  of  time,  preparing  a  patliway  for  mortals  to  a 
glorious  eternity.  His  look  was  piety,  his  glance  was  comfort, 
his  expression  was  love.  Charity  glistened  in  his  aged  eye,  and 
benevolence  played  around  his  venerable  aspect."* 

Two  years  before  his  death,  Dr.  Connolly  made  a  complete 
visitation  of  his  large  diocese.  He  extended  his  route  along  the 
Erie  Canal,  where  large  numbers  of  Irish  laborers  had  been  at- 
tracted. Among  these  he  toiled  with  indefatigable  zeal.  It  was 
during  this  journey  that  he  was  hospitably  received  and  enter- 
tained by  Dominic  Lynch,  Esq.,  at  Rome,  and  by  John  C.  Dev- 
ereux,  Esq.,  it  Utica,  "  in  both  of  whom  the  Church  found  zeal- 
ous and  able  supporters."  Among  Bishop  Connolly's  works 
was  the  founding  of  the  Orphan  Asylum  of  New  York  City,  and 
the  introduction  of  the  Sisters  of  Charity  into  the  diocese.  He 
was  very  desirous  that  each  State  in  the  Union  should  have  its 
own  Bishop,  and  to  that  effect  often  wrote  to  Rome.  As  to  his 
own  labors,  we  have  not  space  to  mention  them  in  detail.  Suf- 
fice it  to  say,  that  Archbishop  Hughes  used  to  speak  of  the 
progress  of  the  Church  under  Bishop  Connolly  as  wonderful  for 
the  means  within  his  reach,  and  with  the  difficulties  under 
which  he  struggled.  His  death  on  February  6th,  1825,  was 
mourned  by  the  Catholics  of  our  country.  During  the  two 
days  that  his  body  lay  in  state  in  St.  Peter's,  Barclay  Street, 
it  was  reverently  visited  by  about  30,000  persons-t 


♦  On  this  occasion,  we  are  told  that  a  charity  sermon  was  preached  In  Eng- 
lish by  Rev.  Mr.  O'Gorraan  at  Mass ;  while  the  same  Rev.  gentleman  deliv- 
ered one  In  Irish  at  Vespers,  the  same  day. 

+  "  Bishop  Connolly  was  a  small-sized  man,  very  neat  in  his  appearance ;  lived 
first  at  211  Bowery,  afterwards  in  Broome  Street,  and  finally  at  512  Broadway, 
In  which  house  he  died.  He  was  very  simple  in  his  manners,  and  most  zeal- 
ous In  hearing  confessions  and  attending  the  sick— sinjrfng  Uigh  Mass  every 
Sunday  without  mitre  or  crosier.  All  the  clergy  then  wore  white  cravats  like 
the  ministers.    At  this  time,  1825,  there  were  no  houses  about  the  Cathedral, 

.  .  A  small  wooden  building,  which  stood  where  the  Asylum  Is  In  Prince 
Street,  was  the  only  house  on  that  line  between  Broadway  and  the  Boweiy-" 
— "  History  of  the  Church  on  the  Island  of  New  York." 


I  comploto 
3  along  the 
id  been  at- 
eal.    It  was 
and  enter- 
,hn  C.  Dev- 
found  zcal- 
)lly'8  works 
k  City,  and 
iocese.    He 
uld  have  its 
,.     As  to  his 
letail.    Suf- 
peak  of  the 
onderful  for 
Ities   under 
1825,  was 
ng  the  two 
•clay  Street, 


>earance ;  lived 
513  Broadway, 
and  most  zeal- 
gh  Mass  evpry 
ite  cravats  like 

the  Catbednil, 
urn  Is  In  Prince 

the  Bowery." 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  ENGLAND,  D.D.,* 
First  Bishop  qf  Charleston,  S.  C. 

*'  This  was  the  noblest  Rotnun  of  tliem  all."— Shakebpeaiik. 

Bishop  England  has  boon  culled  "the  light  of  the  American 
Hierarchy."  Had  he  lived  in  the  early  days  of  Christianity,  or  in 
the  Ages  of  Faith,  or  in  the  times  of  the  so-called  Reformation, 
he  would  Imve  been  ranked  among  the  foremost  men  and  heroes 
of  horc'c  times. 

.Johi;  England  was  bom  at  Cork,  Ireland,  September  23d, 
178(5.  His  boyhood  was  in  the  days  of  his  country's  trial  and 
P'.Tsccution.  The  wrongs  he  saw  and  suffered  made  a  lasting 
impression  on  his  nnnd  and  character.  Indeed,  the  enthusiastic 
love  of  his  faith  and  liifi  native  Isle  were  ever  the  cherished  affec- 
tions which  dwelt  down  deepest  in  his  great  heart.  His  first 
instruction  was  received  in  a  Protestant  school,  as  there  was  no 
other  to  which  he  could  go.  Hero  the  soul  of  the  brave  boy  was 
daily  pained  by  insult.  Often  to  expose  him  to  the  contempt  of 
the  class,  the  bigoted  teacher  would  sneeringly  call  him  "  <Ae 
little  PajyisV 

Young  England  began  his  c.iro3r  in  life  by  the  study  of  law. 
Two  years  spent  in  the  office  of  an  eminent  barrister  had  a  ben- 
eficial effect  in  developing  hisi  precise  and  practical  mind.  His 
own  pious  inclinations,  and  the  designs  of  Providence,  however, 
led  him  to  enter  the  Church — to  give  himself  to  God,  His  ex- 
cellent parents  encouraged  his  noble  resolution,  and  he  began 
his  theological  studies  in  Carlow  College.  Hero  his  splendid 
talents  wore  brought  out  in  all  their  shining  greatness.  Before 
he  was  ordained,  Dr.  Moylan,  the  venerable  Bishop  of  Cork, 
recalled  him  to  his  own  diocese  and  appointed  the  student  of 
theology,  President  of  the  Diocesan  Seminary  at  Cork.  He  was 
ordained  in  October,  1808,  Dr.  Moylan  having  obtained  a  dispen- 
sation, as  Mr.  England  had  not  reached  the  canonical  age  of 
twenty-five. 

His  career  as  a  fearless  priest  and  patriot  now  made  him  a  man 
of  mark — revered  and  loved  by  the  Irish  people — feared  and 
hated  by  the  government.  As  the  editor  and  proprietor  of  the 
Cork  Chronicle,  he  hurled  forth  articles  that  fell  like  thunder- 


*  From  Dr.  K.  II.  Clarke's  "Lives  of  the  Deceased  Bishops,"  Vol.  I.,  aud  J. 
F.  M:i{;uire'B  "Irl.*h  in  America." 


'll 


i: 


270  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

bolts  among  his  political  and  relipous  enemies.  On  one  occa- 
sion ho  was  oven  fined  the  round  sum  of  five  hundred  pounds  for 
his  freedom  of  speech.  But  though  ricli  in  truths  he  was  poor  in 
money  ;  and  while  ho  continued  to  give  out  the  former  with  a 
lavish  hand,  he  took  good  care  not  to  pay  cash  that  he  did  not 
owe.  Father  England  was  on  intimate  terms  with  the  illustri- 
ous O'Connell  ;  and  by  his  powerful  pen  he  did  much  to  hasten 
Catholic  Emancipation  in  Ireland. 

In  1817,  Rev.  Mr.  England  was  appointed  parish  priest  of  Ban- 
don,  a  place  of  such  bitter  bigotry  that  over  the  entrance  was 
placed  the  famous  inscription  which  warmly  welcomed  "the 
Turk,  the  Atheist,  and  the  Jew,"  but  severely  warned  "the 
Papist "  to  keep  away.  The  fearless  priest  entered  on  his  duties 
undeterred  even  by  this  inscription.  On  several  occasions  his 
hair-breadth  escapes  from  murder  are  thrilling  enough  to  have 
occurred  in  border  Indian  life.  But  even  in  these  dangerous  ad- 
ventures God  had  His  designs  on  the  future  American  prelate. 
Such  training  admirably  fitted  liim  for  the  toilsome  and  thorny 
road  which  he  was  to  travel  in  our  own  Republic. 

In  September,  1820,  Dr.  England  was  consecrated  in  his  native 
city  Bishop  of  Charleston,  S.  C.  Accompanied  by  his  youngest 
sister,  who  resolved  to  share  his  perils,  he  embarked  from  Bel- 
fast, and  after  a  dangerous  voyage,  landed  at  Charleston,  Decem- 
ber 30th,  1820.  His  new  diocese  embraced  North  Carolina,  South 
Carolina,  and  Georgia — States  in  which  Catholicity  had  barely 
an  existence.  The  people  were  exceedingly  bigoted.  In  1775,  two 
Irish  Catholics  were  tarred  and  feathered,  on  a  false  charge  of 
conspiring  with  the  negroes  to  overthrow  the  liberties  of  the 
country.  The  difficulties  of  Dr.  England  may  be  imagined  rather 
than  portrayed.  But  his  master  spirit  pointed  out  the  line  of 
duty.  His  success  was  one  of  the  noblest  triumphs  of  the  Church 
in  this  Republic.  On  his  arrival  he  found  only  two  churches 
open  in  his  large  diocese ;  and  his  clergy  could  be  numbered  on 
two  fingers.  But  the  anointed  herald  of  the  cross  came  bravely 
up  to  his  work.  Churches  began  to  rise  around  him.  He  trav- 
elled, preached,  taught,  confirmed.  Wherever  he  found  a  few 
Catholic  families  in  town  or  city,  he  assembled  them,  organized 
them,  and  encouraged  them  to  hold  together  until  he  could  send 
them  a  pastor.  As  for  himself,  he  performed  all  the  labors  and 
endured  the  hardships  of  a  missionary  priest.  His  journeys  were 
frequently  a  hundred  miles.  His  noble  spirit  of  self-sacrifice  re- 
minds us  of  the  heroic  Brebeuf.  Such  was  his  personal  poverty 
that  he  often  walked  the  burning  Bands  and  imvements  of 


Its  History  from  1815  to  1850. 


271 


Charleston  with  his  bare  foet  to  the  ground;  the  upper  leather 
of  his  shoes  only  remaining  decent,  while  the  soles  were  worn 
awuy. 

As  soon  as  possible  he  became  an  American  citizen,  and  was 
djvotediy  attached  to  his  adopted  country  and  its  institutions. 
While  the  Catholics  of  his  diocese,  and  indeed  of  the  whole  United 
Sttitcf,  revered  the  Bishop,  people  of  all  denominations  admired 
his  lofty  eloquence,  magic  pen,  and  groat  learning,  lie  was  a 
valued  member  of  the  Philosophical  Literary  Association  of 
Charleston;  he  founded  the  anti-Duelling  Association  ;  and  he 
preuched  in  the  Hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives  in  Wash- 
ington—the first  Catholic  clergyman  ever  invited  to  perfonusuch 
a  work. 

The  great  struggle  of  Bishop  England's  life  in  this  country 
neeius  to  have  been  to  present  the  Catholic  Church,  her  doc- 
trines and  practices,  in  their  true  light  before  the  American  peo- 
ple. In  his  efforts  to  do  this,  his  labors,  perhaps,  have  never  been 
equalled  by  any  other  man.  With  this  object  he  established  the 
United  States  Catholic  Miscellany^  in  1823.  On  his  arrival  in 
America  he  found  the  Catholic  Church  comparatively  defense- 
less ;  but  he  soon  rendered  it  a  dangerous  task  to  attack  or 
vilify  her.  Many  who  ventured  on  this  mode  of  warfare  were 
},'liid  to  retreat  from  the  field  before  the  crushing  weapons  of 
logic,  erudition,  and  eloquence  with  which  he  battled  for  his 
Church,  his  creed,  and  his  people. 

Personally,  Bishop  England  was  a  fearless  man.  He  quailed 
neither  before  deadly  pestilence,  the  hand  of  the  assassin,  or 
the  passions  of  the  rabble.  When  the  yellow  fever,  with  fright- 
ful swiftness,  desolated  Charleston,  he  could  be  daily  seen  calmly 
moving  through  the  wards  of  death,  cheering  those  who  were 
on  the  point  of  departing  for  another  world.  When  the  anti- 
Catholic  spirit  seized  on  the  mob  of  Charleston,  and  they 
threatened  to  burn  the  Convent,  a  gallant  band  of  Irishmen 
rallied  to  its  defence;  and  Dr.  England,  coolly  and  carefully, 
exauiined  the  flints  of  their  rifles  to  satisfy  himself  that  there 
should  be  no  missing  fire — no  failure  of  swift  and  summary 
justice  I  But  the  preparation  was  enough.  It  was  a  lesson  the 
ruffians  never  forgot. 

Dr.  England  has  been  called  "  The  Author  of  our  Provincial 
Councils,"  and  with  justice.  His  far-reaching  mind  sawthe  imper- 
fect organization  of  the  struggling  American  Church — its  bishops 
far  apart  battling  with  poverty  and  difficulties.  He  wrote  to  his 
brother  prelates,  urging  the  necessity  of  assembling  an^^king 


272  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

counsel  for  united  action.  He  lived  to  see  this  cherished  desire 
of  his  heart  accomplished,  and  his  solid  and  brilliant  mind 
shod  its  rays  of  light  and  wisdom  on  the  first  Councils  of  Bal- 
timore. His  labors  in  the  cause  of  Catholio  education  woto 
untiring.  It  was  to  meet  the  wants  of  his  diocese  that  ho  intro- 
duced the  Ursulinos  and  the  Sisters  of  Mercy.  In  the  saiu) 
interest  he  visited  Kurope  four  times.  At  Rome,  ho  was  con- 
sulted on  all  matters  relating  to  the  American  Church.  Such 
was  his  reputation  for  activity,  and  tho  rapidity  of  his  move- 
ments, that  he  was  known  among  the  Cardinals  as  the  "Steam 
Bishop  "  of  America. 

Worn  out  with  labor  and  fatigue,  his  powerful  fra.me  gave 
way — health  vanished.  When  warned  that  ho  was  killing  him- 
self, he  only  replied  :  "I  must  do  my  duty,  and  if  I  fall  at 
the  altar,  I  only  ask  that  you  will  bring  mo  home."  When 
his  last  hour  came,  he  embraced  tho  crucifix,  and  kissing  it, 
said,  "Sweet  Jesus!"  His  address  to  his  clergy,  who  surrounded 
his  couch  of  death,  was  the  last  sublime  act  of  his  grandly 
beautiful  life.  Giving  his  benediction,  he  sank  on  his  pillow, 
and  calmly  expired,  April  11,  1842. 

As  a  bishop  of  vast  intellect  and  apostolic  zeal,  as  a  groat 
scholar,  eloquent  preacher,  and  powerful  writer,  the  American 
Church  has  not  seen  the  superior  of  Dr.  England.     His  influ- 
ence Avhon  he  could  gain  a  candid  hearing  was  irresistible. 
Many  who  heard  the  surpassing  thrill  of  his  eloquence  camo  at 
once  to  profess  the  faith.     Irish  by  birth,  ho  fervently  loved  his 
native  Isle  to  the  last.     His  tact  and  fund  of  wit  were  perhaps 
unequalled.     To  give  an  instance:  On  one  occasion  he  was  trav- 
elling in  the  same  stage   with  an  ambitious  preacher.      The 
young    man   would    break  a  lance  with  the  groat   "  Popish 
liishop;"  and  perhaps  the  result  might  become  known  even  in 
the  Halls  of  the  Vatican.  Dr.  England  was  engagodin  earnest  con- 
versation witli  some  fellow-passengers ;  but  that  did  not  prevent 
the  preacher  from  asking  questions  about  the  ^^  Scarlet  Womon," 
^^ Anti-Christ/^  the  "Pope,"  etc.,  etc.  Paul  was  continually  quoted. 
It  was  nothing  but  Paul  here  and  Paul  there,  and  how  could  the 
"  Romanists  "  answer  Paul  ?    At  first  the  Bishop  paid  no  atten 
tion.    But  as  the  preacher  stuck  to  his  points  with  the  pertinac- 
ity of  a  gad-fly,  the  nuisance  became  intolerable.     Confronting 
the  uncourteous  vender  of  texts.  Dr.  England  directed  the  blaze 
of  his  great  eyes,  which  gleamed  %vnth  fun  and  fire,  upon  him, 
an<l  gave  utterance  to  this  strange  rebuke:  "Young  man!  if  you  I 
have  JK>t  faith  and  piety  sufficient  to  induce  you  to  call  the  Apos- 


Its  History  from   1815/^;  1850.  273 

tlo,  ^ Saint  Pntil,'  at  lotnt  linvo  tho  p(ood  mannors  to  nrtllhiiii 
'  .V/.s/c/  rniil;'  and  do  not  bo  porpotually  calling  him  'Paul,' 
'  Paul,'  as  If  you  considorpd  him  no  hotter  than  a  noffro."  Tho 
words,  assisted  by  tho  comical  gravity  with  which  thoy  woro 
uttorod,  and  enforced  by  tho  roar  of  laughter  with  which  thoy 
wire  received  by  the  delighted  passengers,  extinguished  tho 
poor  preacher,  who  rapidly  hid  himself  In  the  town  at  which  tho 
st.i^'o  arrived.  Nor  did  tho  affair  end  hero.  Tho  story  got 
aliroad,  and  tho  next  Sunday  while  tho  preacher  was  enlight- 
ening an  audience,  some  irreverent  wag  interrupted  hini  by  re- 
peating; "Mister  Paul — Mister  Paul."  Tho  absurdity  of  tho 
alfair  obliged  him  to  leave  for  parts  unknown  ! 

At  his  death  Bishop  England  left  behind  him  sixteen  churches, 
over  8,000   Catholics,  a  well-organized  and  appointed  clergy, 
and  numerous  ecclesiastical,  religious,  educational,  and  chari- 
table institutions. 
I« 


RIGHT  UP:V.  benedict  JOSEPH  FEiNWICK,  8.J.,  DD.,* 
iiemnd  lilshop  nf  Boston. 

"Many  Bhall  praise  hU  wigdom,  and  il  nhnll  ncvor  be  forgotten."— Ecclbk. 

Benedict  J.  Fenwick  was  born  in  Maryland  in  1782.  Ho  b(>- 
longod  to  an  old  and  lionorud  Maryland  Catholic  family,  the 
founder  of  which  caino  from  England  aw  a  member  of  the  orit;- 
inal  band  of  PilgriniH  sent  out  by  Lord  Baltimore,  Wifh  his 
eldest  brother,  Enoch,  ho  entered  (loorgetown  ('ollego  in  th«^ 
spring  of  1792.  One  of  his  fellow-students  was  the  good  and 
gifted  Judge  (iaston,  of  North  Carolina.  Among  his  companions, 
young  Fenwick  was  distinguished  for  quickness  of  intellect  and 
rare  talents.  In  1805,  he  began  his  theological  studios  in  the 
Seminary  of  St.  Sulpice,  Baltimore,  and  the  following  year 
entered  the  Society  of  Jesus.  Ho  was  ordained  in  1808,  and 
some  time  after  sent  on  the  New  York  missions  in  company  with 
Father  Anthony  Kohlman,  S.J.  They  took  charge  of  St.  Peter's, 
then  the  only  church  in  the  city,  and  labored  zealously  for  the 
cause  of  religion  and  education. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  events  in  Father  Fenwick's  life 
was  his  visit  to  Tom  Paine,  the  infidel  philosopher.  Father 
Kohlman  accompanied  him.  "  A  short  time  before  Paine  died," 
wrote  the  young  Jesuit  to  his  brother,  "  I  was  sent  for  by  him. 
He  was  prompted  to  this  by  a  poor  Catholic  woman  who  went  to 
see  him  in  his  sickness,  and  who  told  him,  among  other  things, 
that  in  his  wretched  condition,  if  anybody  could  do  him  good  it 
would  be  a  Boman  Catholic  priest."  The  two  Jesuits  went  to 
Paine's  residence,  and  were  met  at  the  door  by  the  housekeeper, 
who  informed  them  that  he  was  asleep,and  expressed  a  wish  that 
ho  might  not  bo  disturbed. 

"He  is  always  in  bad  humor,"  she  added,  "  when  roused  out 
of  his  sleep — 'tis,  better  to  wait  a  little  till  he  be  awake."  They 
quietly  sat  down  and  resolved  to  wait.  The  woman  at  some 
length  described  the  miseries  of  the  famous  infldel.  When 
alone  he  would  cry:  "0  Z'jr<f,  Jielp  me.''^  Or  again,  ^^  God  help 
7/ie."  Then  shortly  after:  ^^liut  there  is  no  Qod/^  And  again, 
a  little  after:  '^Yet  if  there  should  he,  wfiat  will  become  of  me 
hereafter  ?''  In  his  agony  and  terror  he  would  cry  for  soirjo  one 
to  come  near  him.  ^^  Sejid  men  acJiild,^'  he  would  say,  *'<o  day 
with  me,  for  it  is  a  hell  to  he  alone  !  " 

*  Chiefly  from  "  The  Live-  of  tlie  DeceaQcd  Bisliojifl." 

(274) 


Its  History  from    1815  to  1850. 


275 


Whon  Palno  awoko,  ilio  prloHts  worn  Hhown  into  hin  room. 
■'A  moro  wrt'tchcd  Ix'iii)^  in  niipcaraun^"  writow  Tatlior  Fou- 
wick,  "  I  iM'VorlK'Ibrf  lnlu'hl," 

FatluT  l\()lilnmn,  as  tlu*  i-UUt  and  iiioiv  tfXiK'rii'nccd,  oprinvl 
tlic  convoi'sation.  Ho  liad  not  procoL'dud  far  wIhmi  I'aitii!  .iil ; 
"  I  \vi>li  to  lioar  no  moro  from  you,  wir.  1  looli  upon  tliu  wlioKi 
(»f  tilt)  Christian  hcIkmuo  to  be  a  tissuo  of  absurdities  and  lii's, 
and  J.  ('.  to  bo  notliin^  uiort'  tlian  a  cunning  knavt;  and  im- 
postor." Fatlier  Kolilnian  attoniptod  to  spoak  a^ain,  but  Paino 
sternly  interrupted  him.  Th(Mi  I'^ither  IVnwiek  in  a  mild  tone 
(•(jinmenced  to  riMvson  witii  Idni.  l*aino  now  K"t  enraged.  *'  Be- 
^'orie,"8aid  lie,  "and  trouble  mo  no  more."  Ili.s  mouth  frotlied, 
and  he  sliook  tlie  bod  with  rapfo  and  madness.  They  were  ,1 .  wibh^ 
to  make  any  impression  on  liini,  and  after  some  moment'*  u  ith- 
drew.  "  1  never  before  or  since,"  says  Fatlier  Fenwick.  "  behold 
a  more  hardened  wretch."* 

Some  time  after  the  death  of  Bisliop  CJoneanen,  Father  Wn- 
wick  was  appoiii'it'vl  administrator  of  the  diocese  of  Now  Vt-ik. 
His  zeal,  mildness,  and  ripe  scholarshi|)  made  him  n  groat 
favorite  wuh  all  classes.  A  Quaker  lady,  in  the  well-meant 
cliurity  of  her  heart,  undertook  tho  task  of  reclaiming  ho  j^'ood 
and  learned  a  man  from  what  she  supposed  to  be  the  "errors 
of  Popery."  The  courteous  Jesuit  receiv<Ml  her  with  every  sij^'ii 
of  fjentlencss,  patience,  and  respect.  She  became  n  Catlioli(\ 
Himdreds  of  conversions  were  likewise  wrouj^ht  throu{,di  his 
ministry.  Among  other  distinguished  converts  may  be  men- 
tioned tlu;  learned  episcopal  ministers.  l{ev.  Mr.  Kewley,  Hev. 
Virgil  Horace  Barber,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Ironside.  Father  IVnwick 
coniinenced  the  erection  of  St.  Patrick's  old  cathedral  on  Aful- 
bcrry  street  from  designs  and  plans  of  his  own. 

In  1817,  Father  Fenwiok  was  recalled  by  his  supt-riors  and 
appointed  President  of  Georgetown  College.  Tlu;  following 
year  ho  was  sent  as  Vicar-General  to  Charh'ston,  S.  C,  to  make 
peace  between  tho  French  and  English  Catholic  parties.  His 
great  rrudence  and  good  humor  smoothed  ajl  difllciilties.  H(! 
was  lu  ro  on  the  arrival  of  Bishop  Kngland,  and  did  not  return 
to  Georgetown  College  until  May,  lS2'i.  Two  years  later  he  was 
again  appointed  President  of  tho  College;  and  in  the  fall  of  1825 
was  consecrated  Bishop  of  Boston. 

Dr.  Fenwick  bade  adieu  to  his  Alintt  Mtder,  and  accompaniinl 
by  IVishop  Kngland  atid  Rev.  Virgil  Horace  Barber,  departed  for 
Hoston.    His  glorious  (episcopal  career  has  been  already  noticed. 

*  A  t-licif  time  after,  Paiiic  pxpijcrt  in  (he  anguii^h  of  debpair. 


-Si 


•A 


Hi  I'iiii 


276  Catholicity  in  the   United  States. 

A  fewH  facts,  howfc\er,  may  be  added.  The  lull  on  which  the 
Ursiiline  Convent,  afterwards  destroyed,  was  built,  was  named 
"  Mount  Benedict,'''  in  honor  of  the  prelate.  Ho  purchased  the 
property,  erected  the  establishment,  and  the  r^rateful  nuns  did 
not  forget  his  generosity.  For  many  years  his  own  house  was 
his  Seminary,  of  which  ho  himself  was  the  faculty.  The  lessons 
in  theology  were  received  from  his  own  learned  lips. 

When  the  wretches  who  burned  the  convent  were  acquitted, 
Bishop  Fen  wick  wrote  in  his  diary  of  June  9,  1835:  "  Gi'cat 
rejoicings  in  Charlestown  on  Saturday  among  the  mob  in  con- 
sequence of  their  acquittal.  Fifty  guns  were  fired  on  the  oc- 
casion!    Thus  iniquity  has  prevailed  at  last." 

He  died  as  he  had  lived,  respected  by  men,  blessed  by  God, 
on  August  11,  184(5.  He  was  buried  at  the  noble  institution  of 
which  he  was  the  founder— his  cherished  College  of  ihe  Holy 
Cross.  The  labors  of  this  apostolic  Bishop  may  be  judged  from 
the  fact,  that  while  he  found  but  four  churches  and  three  priests 
in  New  England,  he  left  fifty  churches,  as  many  clergymen,  and 
one  of  the  most  nourishing  dioceses  in  the  United  States. 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  DUBOIS,  D.D.* 

"  The  price  of  wisdom  Is  above  rubies."— Job. 

John  Duboi.s  was  bona  in  Paris,  in  i7(i4  Tlie  careful  training 
pvon  liini  by  his  excellent  mother  made  a  lasting  impression  on 
his  character.  As  a  student,  he  distinguished  himself  at  the 
College  of  Louis  le  Grand.  One  of  his  fellow-students  at  that 
lanious  institution  was  Robespierre,  afterwards  the  bloodthirsty 
iiionstor  of  the  Revolution.  Even  then,  young  Dubois  instinct- 
ively read  the  heart  of  the  embryo  tyrant.  "I  shall  never  for- 
^'ct,"'  he  used  to  say  to  one  of  his  pupils  at  Emmittsburg,  "the 
looks  and  manners  of  him  who  afterwards  proved  snch  a  mon- 
ster of  ferocity.  He  was  unsocial,  solitary,  gloomy;  his  head 
was  restless,  his  eye  wandering,  and  he  was  a  great  tyrant 
towards  his  younger  and  weaker  companions." 

Mr.  Dubois  made  his  theological  course  at  the  Seminary  of 
St.  Magloire,  where  he  had  for  his  companion  the  Abbi-  Mac- 
Cartliy,  in  after  years  the  celebrated  pulpit  orator  and  orna- 
luent  of  the  Society  of  Jesus. 

Me  was  ordained  in  1787,  but  four  years  after  was  obliged  to 
sail  for  America  to  avoid  the  hatred  o?  the  revolutionists. 
"Welcomed  by  Bishop  Carroll,  he  at  once  began  the  exercise  of 
the  sacred  ministry  at  Norfolk,  Virginia.  He  carried  letters  of 
introduction  from  Lafayette  to  James  Monroe,  Patrick  Henry, 
and  other  distinguished  citizens  of  the  new  Republic.  He  even 
resided  for  some  time  with  the  future  President,  and  received 
lessons  in  English  from  the  great  orator.  While  in  Viri,Mnia,  ho 
contrived  to  support  himself  by  teaching  French,  as  the  Catho- 
lics were  too  few  and  too  poor  to  contribute  to  his  relief.  His 
missionary  field  was  very  ext(^usive.  At  one  time  he  was  the 
only  priest  between  Baltimore  and  St.  Louis. 

lie  built  the  first  church  in  Frederick,  Maryland;  founded 
Mount  St.  Mary's  College,  in  1809;  was  its  first  president;  and, 
when  past  the  age  of  three-score,  was  appointed  to  the  see  of 
New  York,  on  the  death  of  Dr.  Conn(jlly. 

He  arrived  in  his  diocese  in  the  fall  of  182"  We  have  already 
glanced  at  his  apostolic  career  as  a  Bishop.  "  I  am  obliged,"  he 
writes  to  Rome,   "to  fulfill  at  tlio  same  time   the  duties   of 


*  Fidin  11  le  "  Lives  of  the  Deccaoed  Bishops." 


(277) 


278  Catholicity  i?i  the   United  States, 


ll 

i    >l 


Bishop,  parish  priest,  and  eatoehist."  Yet  the  Courage  and 
energy  of  tlie  aged  liero  never  relaxed.  This  explains  how,  in 
his  younger  days  at  Mount  St.  Mary's,  he  had  won  the  title  of 
the  ^^ Little  Bonaparte.''^ 

On  the  ilrst  visitation  of  his  diocese,  he  found  about  seven 
hundred  Catholics  at  Buflfalo.  Here  he  heard  many  confessions 
— about  two  hundred  of  them  hy  means  of  an  interpreter.  His 
activity  and  enterprise  would  have  accomplished  great  things 
had  he  been  properly  supported  in  his  measures  by  the  trustees 
of  the  v.^rious  churches.  He  had  likewise  to  contend  with  the 
insane  bigotry  of  the  times.  A  Catholic  college,  which  he  was 
erecting  in  a  beautiful  spot  near  Nyack,  afforded  an  excellent 
theme  for  loud-mouthed  fanatics  and  weak-headed  minister?. 
The  pulpits  rung  with  the  dangers  of  "Popery."  One  morning 
the  college  was  found  a  mass  of  ruins  and  ashes  !  During 
Bishop  Dubois'  episcopate  eight  new  churches  were  erected  in 
New  York  City  alone. 

In  1837,  his  health  giving  way,  he  .'eceived  the  assistance  of  a 
coadjutor  in  the  person  of  Dr.  Hughes.  He  died  December 
20th,  1842. 

"Need  I  tell  you,"  says  his  eloquent  eulogist,  "that  such  a 
life  was  closed  by  a  tranquil  and  happy  death  ?  The  last  words 
that  trembled  on  his  lips  were  the  holy  names  which  in  infancy 
a  pious  mother  had  taught  him  to  lisp — Jesus,  Mary,  and  Joseph! 
As  the  ripe  and  mellow  fruit  falls  in  due  season  to  the  ground- 
as  the  flower  hangs  its  head  and  droops,  and  dies — as  the  sun 
at  evening's  close  sinks  calmly  into  the  oceans  bed,  leaving 
tracks  of  glory  behind — so  did  he  quit  this  earthly  scene,  with- 
out a  struggle  and  without  a  sigh — with  a  prayer  on  his  lips, 
and  a  sweet  hope  of  heavenly  rest  in  his  heart,  and  a  sweot 
thought  of  the  mercy  of  Jesus,  whom  he  had  loved  and  served 
all  his  life,  hovering  like  an  angel  over  his  departing  spirit."* 


*  "Discourse  on  Bishop  Dubois,"  by  Rev.  Dr.  McCaffrey,  cited  by  R.  H. 
Clarlie,  LL.D. 


I 


ill 


RIGHT  REV.  SIMON  GABRIEL  BRUTfi,  D.  D.* 

"Blessed  are  they  that  saw  theo,  and  were  honored  with  thy  friendship."— Eccibs. 

To  few  men  is  the  Catholic  Church  of  America  more  indebted 
than  to  Bishop  Brute.  lie  was  born  at  Rennes,  France,  in  1779. 
The  prospects  of  his  family  were  blasted  by  the  untimely  death 
of  his  father,  who  was  superintendent  of  the  royal  domains  in 
Brittany.  Young  Brut(i  studied  in  the  college  of  his  native  city, 
and  when  that  establishment  was  broken  up  by  the  Revolution, 
he  resorted  to  private  teachers.  He  was  a  spectator  of  the  worst 
scenes  of  the  "Reign  of  Terror."  Priests  hunted  down  by  the 
deiiions  of  the  Revolution  frequently  found  a  refuge  in  the  hos- 
pitable home  of  his  isxceilent  Catholic  mother.  Family  re- 
vorses  obliged  this  energetic  lady  to  open  a  printing-office. 
Here  she  made  Simon  Gabriel  work  in  those  deplorable  times 
to  save  him  from  being  enrolled  in  a  regiment  of  boys  called 
"The  Hope  of  the  Country."  He  thus  became  a  pretty  good 
compositor. 

When  security  began  to  return,  Mr.  Bi"ut6  studied  medicine. 
Under  the  best  medical  professors  at  Paris,  he  made  a  long  and 
thorough  course.  In  1803,  he  graduated  with  the  highest  hon- 
ors. Out  of  eleven  hundred  students,  he  won  the  first  prize. 
Appointed  physician  to  the  First  Dispensary  in  the  capital,  ho 
declined  the  position.  Quiet  had  been  restored  to  the  Church 
of  France,  and  Dr.  Brute  resolved  to  enter  the  priesthood,  and 
devote  his  splendid  abilities  to  the  cause  of  religion.  With  an 
ardor  far  surpassing  any  of  his  previous  efforts,  he  b(^gan  the 
study  of  theology  in  the  famous  Seminary  of  St.  Sulpice.  Ho  was 
ordained  in  1808.  The  Bishop  of  Nantt  ;  offered  him  the  position 
of  assistant  chaplain  to  the  Emperor  Napoleon,  but  th"i  Abbe 
Brute  firmly  refused.  He  now  became  a  member  of  the  Priests 
of  St.  Sulpice,  and  was  appointed  professor  of  theology  in  his 
native  city. 

His  attention  was  first  called  to  the  wants  of  the  Aiuerican 
Church  by  the  visit  of  Bishop  Flaget  to  France.  In  1810,  the 
Abbe  Brute  landed  at  Baltimore.  For  two  years  he  taught  phi- 
losophy in  St.  Mary's  College,  and  was  then  sent  to  Emmitts- 
burg  to  help  the  venerable  Dubois  in  the  nmnagement  of  Mount 

*  Chiefly  from  Dr.  R.  H.  Chirke'a  "Lives  of  tlie  Deceased  Bi.^liops,"  and 
Most  Rev.  Dr.  Buylcy's  "Memoirs  of  Bishop  Brul.'." 

(27y) 


28o  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

St.  Mary's  College.  The  young  and  struggling  institution  owed 
almost  as  much  to  this  holy  man  as  to  its  founder.  His  ripe 
and  extensive  scholarship  enabled  Father  Dubois  to  enlarge  tho 
course  of  studies;  his  faculty  of  organization  was  of  incalculable 
value  in  establishing  the  peculiar  system  upon  which  the  college 
was  neces.sarily  conducted;  his  aptitude  for  "business  relieved  tho 
president  from  many  pecuniary  embarrassments ;  while  his  gentle 
and  devout  life  was  a  shining  example  to  the  young  men  under 
his  charge. 

"It  is  no  disparagement,"  says  Archbishop  Bayley,  "of  those 
holy  and  eminent  men  who  have  adorned  the  annals  of  tho 
Catholic  Church  in  this  country — of  a  Carroll,  a  Cheverus,  a 
Dubois,  and  a  Flaget — to  say  that  no  one  has  ever  exerted  a 
more  beneficial  influence  in  favor  of  the  Catholic  religion  than 
Bishop  Brutt'.  If  Mount  St.  Mary's,  in  addition  to  all  the  other 
benefits  it  has  bestowed  upon  Catholicity  in  this  country,  has 
been  in  a  remarkable  degree  the  nui'sery  of  an  intelligent, 
active,  z.ealous  priesthood,  exactly  such  as  were  needed  to  sup- 
ply the  peculiai^wants  of  the  Church  in  this  country,  every  one 
at  all  acquainted  with  the  history  of  that  institution  will  allow 
that  the  true  ecclesiastical  spirit  was  stamped  upon  it  by  Bishop 
^ruto.  His  humility,  piety,  and  learning  made  him  a  model  of 
the  Christian  priest,  and  the  impression  his  virtues  made  upon 
both  ecclesiastical  and  lay  students  surpassed  all  oral  instruc- 
tion."* 

His  activity  and  the  amount  of  labor  he  was  capable  of 
accomplishing  were  marvelous.  From  his  daily  memoranda 
we  learn  that  on  one  occasion  most  important  business  called 
him  to  Baltimore.  He  arose  early,  said  Mass,  and  started  on 
foot  for  that  city.  Taneytown  he  reached  in  time  for  breakfast; 
at  Winchester  he  found  he  had  not  a  cent  in  his  pocket  with 
which  to  purchase  his  dinner,  and  had  to  get  it  on  credit;  the 
same  evening  he  arrived  at  Baltimore,  a  distance  of  flfty-two 
miles,  having  read  on  the  way  388  pages  in  D'Anquetil's  History 
of  France^  14  pages  in  Cicero  de  Officiis,  three  chapters  in  the 
New  Testament,  recited  his  Office,  and  said  the  Rosary  three 
times.  And  all  this  in  one  shoi't  day!  He  started  on  his  return 
the  following  morning,  in  a  raging  storm,  from  which  he  was 
frequently  compelled  to  take  shelter,  praying  and  reading,  as 
usual,  on  the  way.     Yet,  this  humble  priest  was  an  oracle  of 


*  Among  his  atudentfl  was  the  great  and  good  Arclibisliop  Hughes,  who, 
when  a  young  priest,  ahvaye  submitted  his  sermons  to  the  i)rofound  Bruti'. 


I/s  History  from    1815  to  1850. 


281 


lenrning  to  the  bishops  and  clergy  of  the  country.  All  were 
plad  to  consult  hhu  on  difficult  points.  Indeed,  from  his 
.lec'kuled  houu' on  the  mountain,  his  influence  was  felt  through- 
out the  entire  Church  of  America. 

"  if  he  heard  of  a  rich  Catholic  who  did  not  make  good  use  of 
his  riches;  of  one  who  was  lukewarm  in  tlie  faith;  of  a  i)riest 
wlio  was  a  cause  of  scandal,  he  immediately  made  use  of  every 
iiii'ans  in  his  power  to  bring  them  to  a  sense  of  duty.  ]iy  fer- 
vour aud  touching  letters  addressed  to  themselves,  and  by  inter- 
eJng  those  who  were  acquainted  with  them,  lie  endeavored  to 
iiil'iisc  into  their  souls  some  portion  of  the  spirit  of  faith  and 
devotion  which  burned  in  his  own.'' 

In  1834,  he  was  appointed  first  Bishop  of  Vincennos,'*'  Indiana. 
While  giving  a  retreat  to  the  Sisters  of  Charity  at  Emmittsburg, 
tlie  iiuils  from  Rome  reached  him.  He  went  into  the  chapel, 
opened  the  documents  on  his  knees,  and  the  next  day  began  a  re- 
treat at  Baltimore  to  decide  whether  he  should  accept  or  refuse. 
In  the  fall  of  the  same  year,  he  was  consecrated  in  the  Cathedral 
of  St.  Louis,  and  on  proceeding  to  his  new  diocese,  found  that  it 
possessed  but  three  priests,  and  one  of  those  borrowed  from 
St.  Louis. 

His  cathedral  was  a  poor  structure,  while  his  episcopal  resi- 
dence consisted  of  a  single  small  room  and  closet  25x12  feet, 
without  cellar  below,  or  garret  above.  The  Bishop's  revenue 
amounted  to  about  twenty  dollars  a  month.  He  might  well 
exclaim :  "  Poor  diocese  of  Vinconnes  I  " 

The  tireless  labors  of  Dr.  Brute,  as  a  bishop,  are  eloquently 
told  in  his  Memoirs,  by  the  Most  Rev.  Dr.  Bay  ley,  Archbishop 
of  Baltimore.  Ho  loved  poverty.  His  food  and  clothes  were 
of  tlie  plainest  kind.  The  only  value  he  could  see  in  money 
and  worldly  goods  was  in  the  good  they  could  nccompli.sh  for 
religion  and  the  poor.     "  If  ho  had  five  dollars,"  said  a  priest 


*  Vinconnes  received  its  name  from  a  fjiillant  Freiuli  ofllcer  who  was 
muidored  there  in  1736,  in  the  same  massacre  and  side  l)y  side  with  tlie  nuir- 
tyi'id  Father  Senat.  When  the  Jesuits  were  suppressed,  the  mission  closed. 
In  1770,  Father  Gibault,  Vicar-General  of  the  Bishop  of  Quebec,  visited  Vin- 
cenne.-,  and  continued  to  do  so  for  several  years,  performing  great  labors  and 
keeping  the  faith  alive  in  that  remote  region.  He  spent  two  wcelis  ut  Vin- 
(•eniics  in  1778,  and  induced  the  inhabitants  to  declare  in  favor  of  the  United 
iStutcs  and  against  England.  In  1785  he  became  resident  pastor  at  Viucenued. 
Three  years  later  this  pious,  zealous,  and  patriotic  priest  was  recalled,  on 
which  ho  nijpointcd  a  layman,  Pierre  Mallet  "guardian  of  the  Church"— a 
sruaniiauship  which  continued  until  the  Abbe  Flaget  arrived  there  in  1792.— 
l)u.  H.  11,  Clahke. 


2 82  Catholicity  in  the   United  States. 

wlio  knew  him  well,  "it  went  to  the  first  person  who  asked  him 
for  it."  Ho  often  gave  away  nearly  all  his  garments.  His  linen 
and  iindcM'clothes  vvero  frequently  bestowed  upon  the  poor 
negroes  whom  ho  visited  and  solaced.  Nine  times  ho  crossed  the 
ocean,  a  voyager  of  the  Church  and  of  Heaven.  But  his  un- 
ceasing toils  soon  wore  him  out.  Galy  six  hours  before  his 
death  he  wrote  with  his  own  hand,  and  not  without  much  pain 
and  difficulty,  sovfu'al  uioving  letters  to  persons  who  had  un- 
fortunately abandoned  the  practice  of  their  faith,  and  to  whom 
he  wished  to  make  this  dying  appeal  in  behalf  of  their  souls, 
while  the  portals  of  eternity  were  closing  ujjon  hhn.  "lam 
going  homo,"  he  said,  as  ho  calmly  and  sweetly  surrendered  his 
soul  into  tho  hands  of  his  Creator,  on  the  26th  of  June,  1839. 

At  his  death  ho  left  to  the  Church  of  Indiana,  24  priests,  23 
churches,  2  religious  coaimunities,  one  seminary,  one  college, 
one  female  academy,  two  free  schools,  and  above  all,  tho  pre- 
cious memory  of  his  learning  and  his  virtues. 

Bishop  Brut6  had  a  great  fondness  for  books  and  studj  His 
scholarship  was  thorough.  Ho  was  always  a  laborious  and 
patient  investigator,  reading  with  pen  in  hand  and  note-book 
beside  him.  This  explains  the  solidity  and  extensive  range  of 
his  learning,  and  the  readiness  with  which  his  vast  store  of 
knowledge  was  brought  into  practical  use — a  readiness  which 
was  the  astonishment  of  all  who  knew  him.  The  science  of  the 
saints,  theology,  history,  the  Fathers  of  tho  Church,  medicine, 
mathematics,  natural  philosophy — all  were  equally  familiar  to 
the  saintly  Dr.  Brut6. 


DEMETRIUS  AUGUSTINE  OALLITZIN, 

Apostle  of  Western  Pennsylvania,  Prince,  and  Priest* 

A  prince  who  nobly  bouRht  the  golden  key 
That  opes  the  palace  of  eternity. 

Ill  Father  Oallitzin,  Russia,  though  plunged  in  pchism,  sent 
one  of  her  greatest  sons  across  the  Atlantic  to  proclaim  the  true 
faith  even  on  the  suuiniit  of  the  AUeghanies.  Ilis  noble  and 
fciiintly  life  would  appear  romantic  woi-o  it  not  that  truth  is 
stranger  than  fiction.  lie  was  born  December  22d,  1770,  at 
the  Hague,  his  father,  Prince  Gallitzin,  being,  at  the  time,  Am- 
bas-ndor  to  Holland  from  the  Court  of  Russia.  In  the  history 
of  Russia  there  are  few  names  more  illustrious  than  that  of  Gal- 
litzin, associated  as  it  is  with  nearly  all  that  is  grand  and  heroic 
in  the  annals  of  that  country.  The  mother  of  our  prince-priest 
belonged  to  a  noble  German  family.  She  was  the  daughter  of 
Fiold-ilarshal  Count  de  Schmettau,  one  of  the  favorite  heroes 
ui  Frederick  the  Great. 

By  his  worldly  and  ambitious  father,  the  young  Demetrius 
was  destined  for  a  military  career.  His  whole  education  was 
therefore  of  the  most  complete  military  caste.  He  scarcely  ever 
hoard  of  religion.  Indeed,  in  his  boyhood  he  was  more  familiar 
with  the  names  of  Voltaire  and  Diderot  than  with  the  sacred 
names  of  Jesus  and  Mary.  His  father  was  an  unbeliever.  An 
inndel  education  had  darkened,  if  not  destroyed,  the  sublime 
faith  that  lighted  up  his  mother's  early  years.  She  was,  how- 
ever, in  the  highest  sense,  a  gifted  lady,  whose  great  personal 
attractions  were  only  surpassed  by  her  beauties  of  mind  and 
heart ;  and  God  in  His  own  good  time  mercifully  led  her  back  to 
His  Holy  Church.  In  178G,  after  a  severe  sickness,  a  light  broke 
upon  her  soul — she  again  became  a  Catholic.  A  year  later,  her 
only  son  received  the  grace  of  conversion,  entered  the  Church 
of  ages,  and  took  the  name  of  Augustine.  The  Princess  was 
liappy.  Ever  after  this  the  good  lady  and  her  son  lived  as  if 
they  had  "  but  one  heart  and  one  soul." 

Referring  to  his  own  conversion,  Father  Gallitzin  afterwards 
wrote  :  "  I  lived  during  fifteen  years  in  a  Catholic  country,  under 
a  Catholic  government.     *    ♦    *    During  a  great  part  of  this 

*  Chiefly  from  "The  Life  of  D.  A.  Gallitzin,"  by  S.  M.  Brnwuson  ;  "Memoir 
of  Ciallltzln,"  by  R.  H.  Clarke ;  and  T/ie  Udthdic  World,  Vol.  II. 

(283) 


284         Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

time  I  was  not  a  moiuber  of  the  Catholic  Cliurch.  An  intimacy 
which  existed  between  our  family  and  a  certain  celebrated  Frencli 
philosopher,  had  produced  a  contempt  for  religion.  Raised  in 
prejudice  against  revelation,  I  felt  every  disposition  to  ridicule 
those  very  principles  and  jjractices  which  I  have  since  adopted. 
*  *  *  During  these  unfortunate  years  of  my  infidelity,  par- 
ticular care  was  taken  not  to  permit  uny  clergymen  to  come 
near  me.  Thanks  to  the  God  of  infinite  mercy,  the  clouds  of 
infidelity  wore  dispersed,  and  revelation  adopted  in  our  family, 
I  soon  felt  convinced  of  the  necessity  of  investigating  the  dilfcr- 
ent  religious  systems,  in  order  to  find  the  true  one.  Although  I 
was  born  a  member  of  the  Greek  Church,  and  although  all  my 
male  relatives,  without  any  exception,  were  either  Greeks  or 
Protestants,  yet  did  I  resolve  to  embrace  that  religion  only 
which  upon  impartial  inquiry  should  appear  to  mo  to  be  the 
pure  religion  of  Jesus  Christ.  My  choice  fell  upon  the  Catholic 
Church,  and  at  the  age  of  about  seventeen  1  became  a  member 
of  that  Church." 

This  conversion  did  not  divert  the  young  Demetrius  from  the 
military  career  which  his  father  wished  liiua  to  embrace.  In  1792, 
he  was  aide-de-camp  to  the  Austrian  General  Van  Lilien,  who 
commanded  an  army  in  Brabant,  at  the  opening  of  the  first  cam- 
paign against  France.  But  the  sudden  death  of  the  Emperor 
Leopold  and  the  assassination  of  the  King  of  Sweden,  acts  con- 
sidered as  the  work  of  the  Jacobins,  induced  Austria  and  Prus- 
sia to  dismiss  all  foreignei'S  from  their  armies.  The  young  prince 
being  thus  deprived  of  his  military  position,  his  father  advised 
him  to  travel  to  flnisli  his  education. 

He  arrived  in  the  United  States  in  the  fall  of  1792,  accompa- 
nied by  a  young  German  missionary.  Rev.  Mr.  Brosius,  his  tutor. 
The  sight  of  the  spiritual  destitution  which  the  Catholics  of  our 
country  suffered,  aroused  in  his  soul  a  sacred  desire  for  the 
priesthood.  In  Novmnber,  1792,  Prince  Gallitzln,  in  his  twenty- 
second  year,  entered  the  Sulpitian  Seminary,  recently  founded 
at  Baltimore.  Here  he  edified  all  by  his  modesty  and  virtue. 
Yet  the  goodness  of  his  heart  received  increased  lustre  from  the 
solidity,  originality,  and  brilliancy  of  his  mind.  He  was  elevated 
to  the  priesthood  on  the  18th  of  March,  1T1>5.  Bishop  Carroll 
performed  the  sacred  ceremony  with  great  emotion  and  solem- 
nity. Prince  Gallitzin,  though  the  second  priest  ordained  in  the 
United  States,  can  be  truly  considered  the  first-born  of  the 
American  Church,  Rev.  Stephen  Badin,  ordained  some  time 
previously,  had  been  made  a  deacon  before  leaving  his  native 


j 

ill 


Its  History  from  1815  to  1850. 


285 


Franco  ;  and  the  United  States  gave  him  only  the  final  consecra- 
tion and  connnission.  But  Father  Gallitzin  was  all  our  own. 
Ours  from  the  first  pa^e  of  his  theology  to  the  moment  he  arose 
from  the  consecratina;  hands  of  the  Bishop,  forever  and  forever 
to  bear  the  seal  of  the  Lord's  anointed.* 

Tlie  young  priest  desired  to  remain  in  the  happy  seclusion  of 
the  seminary,  and  obtained  admission  as  a  member  of  the  priests 
of  St.  Sulpice,  Bishop  Carroll,  however,  could  not  dispense  with 
his  services.  For  four  years  ho  labored  on  various  missions.  As 
already  stated,  ho  set  about  the  grand  work  of  establishing  a 
purely  Catholic  colony,  in  1799,  and  selected  for  his  domain  the 
uninhabited  and  uncultivated  regions  of  the  AUeghanies.  Hero 
he  found  a  snmll  number  of  Catholics  scattered  amid  the  rocks 
and  woods.  In  February,  1800,  Father  (iallit/.in,  in  a  letter  to 
Bishop  Carroll,  says:  "  Our  church,  which  was  only  begun  in  har- 
vest, got  finished  fit  for  service  the  night  before  Christinas  ;  it  is 
about  forty-live  feet  long  by  twenty-five,  built  of  white  pine  logs 
with  a  very  good  shingle  roof.  ♦  *  *  There  is  also  a  house  built 
for  ine,  sixteen  feet  by  fourteen,  besides  a  little  kitchen  and  a 
stable.  I  have  now,  thanks  be  to  God,  a  little  home  of  my  own, 
fertile  first  time  since  I  came  to  this  country,  and  God  grant  that 
I  may  be  able  to  keep  it.  The  prospect  of  forming  a  lasting 
ostabli-shment  for  promoting  the  cause  of  religion  is  very  great  ; 
the  country  is  amazingly  fertile,  and  almost  entirely  inhabited 
by  Catholics.  *  *  *  The  congregation  consists  at  present  of 
about  forty  families,  but  there  is  no  end  to  the  Catholics  in  all 
the  settlements  round  about  mo  ;  what  will  become  of  them,  if 
we  do  not  soon  receive  a  new  supply  of  priests,  I  do  not  know. 
1  tiy  as  much  as  I  can  to  persuade  them  to  settle  around  me." 

The  whole  cost  of  this  spiritual  and  material  colonization  was 
at  first  individually  borne  by  Father  Gallitzin.  He  lived  on  tho 
fanii  which  the  generous  Captain  McGuire  had  given  for  the 
service  of  the  church.  But  in  order  to  attract  emigration  around 
him,  he  bought  vast  tracts  of  land,  which  he  sold  in  farms  at  a 
low  rate,  or  even  gave  to  the  poor,  relying  on  his  patrimony  to 
meet  his  engagements.  The  wilderness  soon  put  on  a  new  aspect. 
The  settlers  followed  the  impulses  of  the  great  missionary,  who 
kept  steadfastly  in  view  the  improvement  of  his  work.  His  first 
care  was  to  get  up  a  grist-mill  ;  then  arose  numerous  out-build- 
ings ;  additional  lands  were  purchased,  and  in  a  short  time  the 
colony  grew  in  extent  and  prosperity. 


Xr^ 


Y^^ 


*  !S.  M.  Brownaon. 


286 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 


In  carrying  out  his  worI«,  the  princo-priost  recelvod  material 
assiHtanco  from  Kuropo.  At  flrnt,  snmsof  money  were  regularly 
remitted  to  him  by  his  motlier.  With  lier  he  kept  up  a  fond 
correspondence,  wliich  Ids  great  love  for  her  rendered  one  of  tlio 
consolations  of  his  life.  But  ho  lost  this  good  and  tender 
parent  in  1806. 

The  Euiporor  of  Russia  could  not  pardon  the  son  of  a  Russian 
prince  for  becoming  a  Catholic  priest,  and  in  1808,  the  noble 
missionary  received  from  a  friend  in  Europe  a  letter  sjiying  : 

"The  question  of  your  rights  and  those  of  tlu*  princess,  your 
sister,  as  to  your  father's  property  in  Russia,  has  been  examined 
by  the  Senate  of  St.  Petersburg,  and  it  has  decided  that  by 
reason  of  your  Catholic  faith  and  your  ecclesiastical  profession, 
you  cannot  bo  admitted  to  a  share  of  your  late  father's  property. 
Your  sister  is  consequently  sole  heiress  of  the  property,  and  i.s 
soon  to  be  put  in  possession  of  it.  The  Council  of  State  has  con- 
firmed the  decision  of  the  Senate,  and  the  Emperor  by  his  sanc- 
tion has  given  it  the  force  of  law." 

Writing  to  her  brother,  the  Princess  Maria  said:  "You  may 
be  perfectly  easy.  I  shall  divide  with  you  faithfully,  as  I  am 
certain  you  would  with  mo.  Such  was  tho  will  of  our  deceased 
father  and  of  our  dearest  mother;  and  such  also  will  be  tho 
desire  of  my  affectionate  love  and  devotedness  towards  you,  my 
dearest  brother." 

On  various  occasions  she  sent  large  sums  to  the  missionary, 
who  employed  them  in  meeting  his  engagements  and  in  reliev- 
ing tho  poor.  But  on  the  whole,  it  amounted  to  only  a  small 
part  of  tho  revenues  to  which  he  was  entitled.  When  tho  Prin- 
cess married  the  insolvent  Prince  of  Salm,8ho  said  no  more  about 
remittances.  Thus  the  saintly  man  lost  nearly  all  his  patrimony. 
But  with  the  most  perfect  resignation  he  oflfered  the  sacrifice  to 
God.  Ho  cared  not  for  wealth  save  to  aid  the  poor,  tho  un- 
fortunate, or  the  Church.  "If  ho  had  possessed  a  heart  of 
gold,"  said  one  who  knew  him  Avell,  "he  would  have  given  it  to 
the  unfortunate."  Prince  Gallitzin  was  not  simply  a  holy 
priest,  a  zealous  pastor — he  was  tho  father  and  benefactor  of  his 
Catholic  people,  and  would  never  consent  to  leave  them. 

He  was  a  man  of  unceasing  energy.  He  novor  thought  of 
sparing  himself  when  the  glory  of  God,  the  good  of  religion,  or 
the  happiness  of  his  flock  was  in  question.  Labor,  toil,  journeyt*, 
and  fasting  seemed  luxuries  to  him  when  souls  were  to  be  saved. 
His  watchful  care  extended  to  all  parts  of  his  vast  mission. 

We  have  a  graphic  picture  of  his  appearance  on  one  of  his 


lis  History  from   1815  to  1850. 


287 


forest  journoys,  when  he  had  reached  his  nixty-fourth  year.  For 
it  wo  arn  Indebted  to  tho  pen  of  Rev,  Fatlior  liCnieko.  O.S.B., 
jiftorwards  his  successor.  In  the  summer  of  1834,  the  good 
Fnther  was  sent  from  Plilladolphia  to  tlio  assistance  of  the  aged 
iiiissioiinry.  After  several  days  of  roiigli  travel  he  reached 
Minister,  a  vllhijK'e  Sf)me  miles  from  Loretto.  Hero  Father 
LciMcke  procured  an  Irish  lad  to  pilot  him  on  his  way.  ''As  wo 
had  Ko'**'."  *^"^y"^  '•"»  ""-  couple  of  niile.<  throUf^h  tlio  woods,  I 
caught  sii^ht  of  a  sled  drawn  by  a  pair  of  vi/orous  horses,  and  in 
-tlic  sled  a  half  recumbent  traveller,  on  every  lineament  of  whoso 
fnce  could  bo  read  a  character  of  distiiiction.  Ho  was  out- 
wardly dressed  in  a  thread-bare  overcoat,  and  on  his  head  a 
jx'asant's  hat  so  worn  and  dilapidated  that  no  one  would  have 
rescued  it  from  tho  jjfarbage  of  the  streets.  It  occurred  to  nu) 
liiat  some  accident  had  happened  to  tho  old  gentleman,  and 
that  he  was  compelled  to  ro.sort  to  this  singular  mode  of  con- 
veyance. While  I  was  taxing  my  brain  for  a  satisfactory  solu- 
tion of  this  i)robleni,  Tom,  my  guide,  who  was  trotting  ahead, 
turned  round  and  i)ointingto  tho  old  man  said :  "  Ihra  comis  the 
j>y7V,s7."  I  immediately  coaxed  np  my  nag  to  tho  sled.  "  Aro 
you  really  the  pastor  of  Loretto  r'  said  I.  "  I  am,  sir."  "Prince 
<iallitzin  i  "  "At  your  service,  sir,"  ho  said  with  a  hearty  laugh. 
"  Vou  are  probably  astonished,"  he  continued,  after  I  handed 
liiui  a  letter  from  the  Hishop  of  Philadelphia,  "  at  tho  strange- 
ness of  my  equipage.  But  there's  no  help  for  it.  You  have  no 
doubt  already  found  out  that  in  these  countries  you  neec'  not 
(Ireani  of  a  carriage  road.  You  could  not  drive  ten  yards  with- 
out danger  of  an  overturn.  1  am  prevented,  since  a  fall  which 
I  liavr  had,  from  riding  on  horseback,  and  it  would  bo  impossi- 
ble lor  me  now  to  travel  on  foot.  Bosidts,  I  carry  along  every- 
thing required  for  tho  celebration  of  holy  Mass.  I  am  now  going 
to  a  spot  where  I  have  a  mission,  and  where  tho  holy  sacrifice 
has  been  announced  for  to-day.  Go  to  Loretto  and  make  your- 
self at  homo  until  my  return  to-night;  unless,  indeed,  you 
should  prefer  to  accompany  me."  Father  Lemcko  was  only  too 
happy  to  bear  him  company. 

For  forty-one  years  this  humble  man,  this  truly  great  and  good 
priest,  led  upon  the  mountains  a  most  perfect  Christian  life. 
When  warned  to  take  more  care  of  himself,  ho  would  answer  in 
his  own  energetic  style:  "  As  the  days  have  gone  by  when  by 
martyrdom  it  was  possible  for  us  to  testify  to  God's  glory  upon 
earth,  it  becomes  our  duty  like  tho  toil-worn  ox  to  remain 
hitched  to  the  plough  in  the  field  of  the  Lord."    On  Easter 


mm 


'  1- 


im  'I 


288  Cat hol icily  in  the  United  States. 

Sundny,  1810,  Fathor  riullitzin,  bcinf<  Hevonty  yenrw  of  ago,  had 
early  in  th<^  morning  taken  Iuh  Noai  in  tho  cniifcsHional.  After 
dlHohar^'inK  those  dutic^H,  ho  bravely  braced  up  hJH  renialniiih' 
strenp^th  to  aKoond  the  altar  for  the  ccslebration  of  Maws.  When 
it  was  over  he  took  to  his  bed  — tlnj  bed  from  whieh  he  was 
doHtined  never  to  rise.  On  tlie  sixth  of  May,  \\\a  pure  and 
princely  spirit  parsed  to  the  boHoui  of  (lod. 

The  revered  Father  (iaIlitzin'H  best  onlogy  is  his  work.  He 
erected  tho///'.s^'^7<f/j;^'/  in  what  now  comprises  the  three  dioceses 
of  Pittsbiirf?,  Allepfhany  City,  and  Erie.  His  cherished  Loretto 
is  the  most  Catholic  village  in  the  Tnited  States.  Not  till 
the  traveller  has  pressed  the  soil  of  Cambria  county  does  he  feel 
that  ho  Ih  in  a  tndy  Christian  laud,  as  he  catches  tho  sight  of 
ten  Catholic  churches  and  three  monasteries — all  of  whi(!h 
cropped  out  of  Loretto,  under  tho  creative  ami  fostering  hands 
of  (Jallitzin.*  What  share  ho  had  in  its  material  prosperity  may 
be  judged  from  the  fact  that  ho  spent  over  $150,000  in  its  im- 
provement. Though  for  many  years  vicar-general  of  the  Bishop 
of  Philadelphia,  he  firmly  refused  all  offers  of  being  raif^ed  to 
the  episcopal  dignity.  Having  renounced  the  dignities  of  the 
world,  ho  did  not  aspiro  to  those  of  the  Church. 

As  the  apostle  of  tho  backwoods  of  Pennsylvania,  his  career 
was  checkered  with  dangers  and  difllcuUies.  On  one  occasion 
his  bitter  enemies  even  threatened  to  take  his  life;  but  the 
powerful  arm  of  an  Irish  Catholic  giant,  named  John  Weakland. 
came  to  the  rescue ;  and  a  fence-rail  firmly  handled  as  a  shillalah 
was  the  sort  of  logic  that  brought  a  feeling  of  forced  courtesy 
among  tho  rude  mob  of  tho  forest — something  the  good  priest's 
words  utterly  failed  to  produce.  Long  before  his  death,  how- 
ever, he  was  held  in  universal  respect.  The  name  Udllit^in  has 
since  been  given  to  a  fine  village. 

Many  anecdotes  are  related  of  the  venerable  prince-priest. 
His  love  of  books  was  remarkable.  A  perfect  master  of  English, 
ho  was  a  writer  of  great  vigor  and  simplicity,  as  his  Defence  of 
Catholic  Principles,  and  other  works  prove. 

On  one  occasion  he  had  given  a  liberal  alms  to  a  poor  trav- 
elling stranger,  who  afterwards  squandered  the  money  improp- 
erly at  a  tavern.  When  informed  of  the  deception,  the  noble 
donor  replied:  ^^  I  gave  it  not  to  him,  hut  to  God.''''  As  a  priest 
he  was  a  model.  His  sermons  were  simplicity  itself — they  wore 
brought  down  to  the  level  of  tho  most  rude  and  ignorant  mind. 


*  Futlicr  Lemokc,  O.S.B. 


Its  Ilistory  from    1815  to  1850. 


289 


But  it  was  aH  n  confessor  that  he  was,  perhaps,  unrivalleil. 
Even  the  little  cliildron  as  they  stood  between  his  knees,  twist- 
ing' tho  buttons  of  liis  rassock,  fi^oing  tlirougli  the  process  tlu»y 
calli'd  (;onfi>sHioii,  felt  that  nothing  was  unknown  to  him.  IIo 
would  neither  inisunderstand  one,  nor  be  deceived  by  evasion 
or  coloring.  Kothin^  was  indifferent  to  him  that  was  serious  to 
his  penitent.  Tho  child  who  confessed  with  frank  eyes  and 
imifh  stammering  that  ho  had  stolen  a  wheelbarrow,  found 
iiotliini,'  strange  in  the  quiet  question  of  the  prince  as  to  what 
111!  did  with  it,  for  a  wheelbarrow  is  rather  a  large  thing  for  a 
little  boy  to  steal,  or  to  conceal.  "  I  rode  my  sister  three  times 
around  the  yard,  and  then  I  put  it  back,"  said  tho  child.  When 
ultorwards  the  little  penitent  told  of  it,  and  of  the  serious  advico 
given  to  ask  tho  owner's  consent  next  time,  one  could  plainly 
set!  that  from  the  very  earliest  moment,  Father  Gallitzin  took 
care  that  faults  should  be  neither  lessened  nor  exaggcrated.f 

In  truth,  we  can  well  say:  "  When  shall  we  look  upon  his  like 
again  'i " 

t  S.  M.  Drownaon's  Life  of  Prince  OallUzin—aa  excellent  work 
19 


:         I 

;   IB 


I'     a 


ail  !i 


tinii 


''isH 


R'<  \l 


REV.  VIRGIL  II.  BARBER,  S.J.* 

The  mysterious  conquests  of  graeo  frequently  challenge  the 
admiration  even  of  the  most  worldly-minded.  Such  an  instance 
v/as  the  conversion  uf  the  Rev.  Virgil  H.  Barber  and  his  family 
to  tiie  Catholic  Church.  The  son  of  a  clergyman,  Rev,  Daniel 
Barber, t  he  was  born  in  New  England,  in  1782,  and  became  a 
minister  of  the  Prote.stant  Episcopal  Church.  In  1816,  after  long 
consideration,  himself,  his  wife,  and  five  children  became  Cath- 
olics. Some  time  after  their  conversion  this  devoted  couple, 
actuated  by  the  purest  religious  motives,  and  under  the  impres- 
sion that  they  might,  for  the  greater  glory  of  God  and  the  wel- 
fare of  their  neighbors,  do  a  large  amount  of  good  individually, 
if  at  liberty,  in  imitation  of  tho.se  of  whom  we  read  in  the  early 
ages  of  Christianity,  after  due  reflection  and  mutual  consent, 
resolved  to  separate. 

Mr.  Virgil  H.  Barber  went  to  Rome  in  1817,  and  obtained  of 
the  Sovereign  Pontiff  the  authority  necessary  for  this  step.  Ho 
at  once  began  to  prepare  for  Holy  Order.'-;,  and  after  two  years 
spent  in  the  Eternal  City,  returned,  bringing  his  virtuous  wife 
the  necessary  authorization  to  embrace  the  religious  state.     He 

*  Chiefly  from  Shea's  De  Courcy's  "  Catholic  Church  in  tho  United  States  "  ; 
Father  Fitton's  "Sketches  of  the  Church  in  New  England";  and  Rev.  Dr. 
Vetromile's  "  History  of  tlie  Abnaki." 

t  As  the  reader  has  already  learned.  Rev.  Daniel  Barber  and  his  family  also 
became  Catholic;.''..  Many  are  of  opinion  that  he  obtained  tlie  grace  of  con- 
version tlirough  the  prayers  of  a  young  lady  which  lie  baptized  in  his  sect. 
This  was  Miss  Allen,  daughter  of  the  famous  General  Ethan  Allen,  so 
renowned  in  Vermont,  his  native  State.  The  young  lady  afterwards  went  to 
Montreal  to  finish  her  education  in  the  Academy  of  the  Sisters  of  the  Congre- 
gation of  Notre  Dame.  There  she  became  a  Catholic,  eniercd  the  comniunitj 
of  the  Hospital  Nuns  of  tlie  Hotel  Dieu,  and  died  a  saintly  death  in  181U,  the 
very  spectacle  of  her  last  moments  being  the  means  of  converting  the  Protest- 
ant physiciati  who  attended  her. 

The  conversion  of  the  Barber  family  led  the  way  to  numerous  others.  Amoni^ 
these  may  be  mentioned  Mrs.  Tyler,  whose  son  afterwards  became  first  Bishop 
of  Hartford ;  Rev.  Dr.  Keeley,  of  New  York ;  Rev.  George  Ironside  ;  ami 
Rev.  Calvin  White. 

"Calvin  White,"  writes  Richard  Grant  White,  "  was  my  grandfather.  He 
became  a  Rhman  Catliolic.  *  *  *  I  gaw  in  my  college  days  a  MS.  of  his 
in  which  he  set  forth  the  steps  by  which  he  went  from  the  Church  of  Englmid 
to  that  of  Rome."  Biblioffrajj/iia  Catholica  Americana,  p.  261.  Tliis  precious 
MS.  is  unfortunately  now  lost. 

(2(J()) 


Its  History  from   1815  to  1850. 


291 


was  ordijinod  by  Bishop  I)e  Cheverus,  of  Boston,  on  December 
1st,  1822-  Mrs.  Barber  entered  the  Visitation  Convent  at  George- 
town, P.  C,  in  which  f-iliemade  her  novitiate  of  two  years.  Their 
son  was  pi;  d  at  the  Jesuit  College,  while  the  daughters  were 
Jit  the  Academy  of  the  Visitation,  yet  without  knowing  that  their 
mother  was  a  novice  in  the  house. 

The  period  of  the  lady's  probation  having  expired,  the  five 
(•liil(h"en  were  brought  to  the  chapel  to  witness  their  mother's 
profession  ;  and  at  the  same  time,  on  the  steps  of  the  altar,  their 
father  devoting  hhnself  to  (to.1  as  a  member  of  the  Society  of 
Jesus  !  At  this  touchitjg  sight  the  poor  children  burst  into 
tears.  They  beheved  themselves  forsaken  on  eartli.  But  it  was 
fiir  otherwise,  (iod,  in  His  holy  designs,  led  them  to  good  homes. 
Mrs.  Barber  having  long  edified  the  community  by  her  exem- 
plary piety,  was  elected  Superioress  of  her  Order,  into  which  one 
of  her  daughtcis  also  entered.  The  other  three  becaiue  rrsuline 
Nuns,  and  were  among  those  who  had  to  fly  for  their  lives  at 
the  midnight  hour,  August  11th,  1834,  when  the  infuriated  mob 
destroyed  their  peaceful  home  at  Mount  Benedioi,  iiear  Boston^ 
Their  brothe»*  Samuel  embraced  the  religious  state,  was  ordained, 
and  after  years  of  usefulness,  died  a  holy  priest  in  the  Society 
of  Jesus. 

After  his  ordination,  Father  Virgil  H.  Barber  erected  the  first 
Catholic  church  in  New  Hampshire  at  Claremont,  in  1823.  It 
was  constructed  to  serve  a  two-fold  purpose— divine  service  and. 
education.  In  the  hall  above  the  church  he  taught  the  higher 
branches  of  study,  and  by  this  means  supported  himself,  without 
being  a  burden  to  any  one.  He  afterwards  went  to  Old  Town, 
Maine,  to  take  charge  of  the  Penobscot  Indians.  For  ten  years 
ho  worked  with  the  zeal  of  an  apostle  in  this  mission.  His  labors 
were  crowned  with  success.  "The  Indians  taught  by  him,'' 
writes  Rev.  Dr.  Vetromile,  his  present  successor,  "  are  all  well 
instructed.  His  memory  remains  in  benediction  amongst 
them.'"* 

Father  Barber  afterwards  filled  several  posts  in  Pennsylvania 
and  Maryland  with  gveat  edilication,  became  I'rofessor  of 
Hebrew  in  (Teorgetown  College,  and  there  died  as  he  had  lived, 
in  the  spring  of  1847,  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years. 

The  wonderful  career  of  Father  Barber  has  shed  imperisliablo 
lustre  on  his  name.  As  a  man,  a  scholar,  and  a  Jesuit,  he  was 
equally  distinguished.     The  boot  Abnaki  scholar  in  Americaf 

*  "The  Abnaki  and  their  Hii^tory." 
t  Rev.  Dr.  Vetromile. 


I?-;fl 


% , 


i'f 


t^ 


i  t 


IMM 


292  Catholicily  in  tJic  United  States. 

received  his  first  lessons  in  that  language  from  the  accomplisliod 
convert-priest.  By  the  people  of  Claremont,  N.  H.,  ho  is  still 
remembered  with  deep  affection.  "A  llrin,  tender,  and  un- 
changing chord,"  writes  Rev.  C.  OSuUivan,  Pastor  of  Claremont, 
"yet  firmly  binds  the  memory  of  the  saintly  Father  Barber  to 
the  affections  of  the  citizens  of  Claremont,  of  every  shade  of 
belief,  Protestant  as  well  as  Catholic."* 


*  Letter  to  the  author. 


WILLIAM  GASTON,  LL.D.* 

The  illustrious  Catholic  Jurist  of  North  Carolina. 

"  We  know  that  he  was  indeed  a  great  man  and  a  great  Judge." 

— ClIIKF-JCSTlCE  RUFFIN. 


In  the  secular  walks  of  life,  we  believe  the  American  Church 
can  point  to  no  grander  character,  or  more  faithful  son  than 
Judge  Gaston.  He  was  born  at  Newbern,  North  Carolina,  in 
1778.  Dr.  Gaston,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  while  his 
mother,  Margaret  Sharpe,  was  an  English  lady,  a  pious  Catholic, 
who  had  received  an  unusually  excellent  education  at  a  convent 
in  France.  When  the  Revolution  began,  Dr.  Gaston  distin- 
guished himself  as  a  sterling  patriot.  On  one  occasion  a  detach- 
ment of  British  regulars  entered  Newbern,  from  which  he  was 
hurriedly  removing  his  family.  Thirsting  for  his  blood,  they 
cruelly  shot  down  the  gallant  Irish  phy.'^'ician  in  the  very  pres- 
ence of  his  imploring  wife  and  children  ! 

3lr.s.  Gaston  was  a  woman  of  serene  and  lofty  character.  The 
education  of  her  son  William  now  became  the  absorbing  thought 
of  her  life  ;  and  in  the  depth  and  beauty  of  his  character  she 
found  her  sweetest  consolation.  Though  her  means  were  limited, 
still  by  a  rigid  economy  she  was  enabled  to  accomplish  this 
fond  object  of  her  heart.  An  anecdote  is  related  of  the  boy 
which  will  afford  an  insight  to  the  relations  of  the  mother  and 
the  son.  When  young  Gaston  was  about  eight  years  old,  even 
then  teumrkable  for  his  cleverness,  a  schoolmate  as  much  noted 
for  his  dullness  said  to  him:  ''William,  what's  the  reason  you're 
always  head  of  the  class,  and  I'm  always  foot  ?"  ''  There  is  a 
reason,"  replied  the  boy,  "  but  if  I  tell  you,  you  must  promise 
to  keep  it  a  secret,  and  do  as  I  do.''  The  promise  was  given. 
"Whenever,"  he  continued,  "  I  take  up  my  book  to  study,  I 
tirst  say  a  little  prayer  my  mother  taught  me,  that  I  may  be  able 
to  learn  my  lessons."  He  tried  to  teach  the  little  petition  to  the 
dull  boy,  who,  however,  could  not  remember  it.  The  same  night 
Mrs.  Gaston  observed  William  writing  behind  the  door;  as  she 
was  very  strict  in  permitting  nothing  her  children  did  to  be  con- 
cealed from  her,  he  v/as  obliged  to  confess  having  been  writing 
out  the  prayer  for  little  Tommy,  that  ho  might  be  able  to  get 
liis  lessons. 

In  the  fall  of  1791,  William  Gaston  was  placed  in  Georgetown 


*  Chiefly  frmn  R.  H.  Clarke's  Memoir, 


-J 


V 


1 


r?-|^)i 


(293) 


i}. 


294 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


College,  beinf?  ihe/lrst  student  that  entered  that  oldest  of  our 
Catholic  institntions.  But  he  was  not  simply  first  in  point  of 
time.  He  was  llrst  in  piety  and  industry.  "  Your  son,"  wrote 
Father  Plunkett,  8.J.,  to  Mrs.  Gaston,  "  is  the  best  scholar  and 
the  most  exemplary  youth  we  have  in  G.  Town." 

After  some  time,  his  mother,  desirous  of  giving  him  the  highest 
education  the  country  at  that  period  afforded,  sent  him  to 
Princeton  College,  N.  J.,  where  he  entered  the  junior  class.  Ills 
brilliant  talents  are  among  the  cherished  traditions  of  that  in- 
stitution. Here,  though  he  lived  in  the  midst  of  Protestants 
who  were  liis  constant  and  only  companions,  he  was  never  known 
to  fail  in  his  duty  as  a  strict  and  practical  Catholic.  He  gradu- 
ated in  179G,  carrying  away  with  him  the  tirst  honors  of  Prince- 
ton. But  ho  could  not  think  of  such  an  important  step  as 
graduation  without  the  blessing  of  Heaven.  Hence,  on  the  eve 
of  that  event  he  went  to  Philadelphia,  and  received  Holy  Com- 
munion, in  order  that  he  might  begin  the  journey  of  life  with 
God  in  his  heart. 

He  was  accustomed  to  say  that  the  proudest  moment  of  his 
life  was,  when  he  communicated  the  news  of  his  graduation  to 
his  revered  mother.  She  embraced  her  boy,  and  laying  hor 
hands  on  his  head,  as  he  was  kneeling  at  her  feet,  she  exclaimed: 
•'My  God,  I  thank  Thee!" 

Entering  the  office  of  an  eminent  lawyer,  Mr.  Gaston  began 
his  legal  studies.  He  came  to  the  bar  in  1798,  when  he  was 
twenty  years  of  age,  and  at  once  gamed  distinction  in  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession.  In  August,  1800,  he  was  elected  a  member 
of  the  Senate  of  his  native  State.*  Eight  years  later  he  was 
chosen  an  Elector  for  President  and  Vice-President  of  tlio 
United  States.  In  1811,  Mr.  Gaston  mourned  the  loss  of  his 
excellent  mother.  She  deserves  a  high  position  among  the  hero- 
ines of  the  Revolution.  All  who  speak  of  Mrs.  Gaston  inva- 
riably name  her  as  the  most  dignified  as  well  as  the  most  devout 
woman  they  had  ever  seen. 

Mr.  Gaston  was  elected  to  Congress  in  1813,  and  two  years  later 
he  was  re-elected  for  a  second  term.  His  Congressional  career 
was  one*  of  great  activity  and  unsurpassed  brilliancy.  Thougli 
quite  a  young  man,  he  did  not  shrink  from  encounter  with  such 
men  as  Clay,  Calhoun,  Webster,  Randolph,  and  other  eminent 
statesmen  of  that  day.  His  independence  of  spirit,  great  learn- 
ing and  eloquence,  and  pure,  lofty  character,  gave  him  vast  influ- 


*  And  this  though  the  Constitutiou  of  North  Carolina  contaUied  a  chiuse 
oxf  liKlin^  Catholics*  from  ofRcf 


Its  History  from  1815  to  1850. 


295 


uucd  a  clause 


once  with  his  own  party,  while  it  commanded  the  respect  of  his 
political  opponents. 

Oii  r  tiring  from  Congress,  in  1817,  Mr,  Gaston  resumed  the 
practice  of  the  law.  But  he  was  almost  from  necessity  a  public 
man;  his  splendid  gifts  were  always  at  the  service  of  his  coun- 
try. It  was  especially  in  the  Legislature  of  North  Carolina  that 
his  influence  was  felt.  The  expunging  of  the  clause  which  dis- 
criniinatod  against  Catholics  in  the  Constitution  of  that  >>tate 
was  due  to  his  able  efforts.  "The  most  brilliant  era  of  his  legis- 
lative career,"  says  a  Protestant  writer,  "  was  the  Convention  of 
1835.  'J'he  hour  of  the  repeal  of  the  constitutional  disii'anchise- 
inent  of  Catholics  was  probably  the  proudest  of  his  life.  His 
spet'ch  on  that  occasion  was  one  of  the  rarest  and  most  admirable 
spf'ciincns  of  (doquence  which  ancient  or  modern  times  have 
produced.  His  whole  soul  was  poured  into  the  task.  He  felt 
that  it  must  be  achieved  by  liim^  or  not  at  all.  His  effort  was 
successful.  And  to  hhn  is  due  t'.. .  gratitude  of  the  wise  and  tol- 
erant of  every  land." 

In  J83.'5,  William  Gaston  was  elevated  to  the  bench  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  North  Carolina,  a  post  which  he  continued 
to  adorn  for  the  remainder  of  his  life.  To  the  discharge  of  the 
duties  of  his  high  office,  Judge  Gaston  brought  all  the  rich  treas- 
ures of  his  well-stored  mind,  and  the  sterling  qualities  of  his 
uprij,'lit  heart.  Never  was  the  ermine  worn  with  more  unsul- 
lied purity;  never  was  justice  more  ably  or  iuipartially  ad- 
luinistored.  But  it  would  be  impossible  in  brlt;f  space  to  convey 
to  the  mind  of  the  reader  a  just  idea  of  his  gniud  judicial 
career. 

To  hini,  lioma  was  one  of  the  sweetest  words  in  the  language  — 
truly  "home,  sweet  home."  In  the  domestic  circle  his  warm, 
genial  nature  shed  a  cheerfulness  all  around.  Ho  was  several 
times  married,  but  the  early  deaib  of  his  last  wife  left  his  chil- 
dren motherless;  yet  he  was  everything  to  them  by  his  tender- 
ness and  thoughtful  solicitude.  Their  education  was  the  object 
of  Ills  greatest  care,  and  he  regarded  their  religious  instruction 
as  the  most  important  part  of  their  education.  Writing  to  his 
eldest  daughter,  then  married  in  Connecticut,  and  who  had 
cliargo  of  the  schooling  of  her  young  sisters,  the  wise  .Judge 
said:  " Save  them  from  the  greatest  of  all  moral  evils,  ilw,  lui- 
s' tiling/  of  their  faith.'" 

Of  this  great  nuin  we  can  truly  say:  "Religion  was  the  guide 
of  his  youth,  the  light  of  liis  manhood,  and  the  happiness  of 
liis  old  age."     Before  the  church  was  erected  at  Newbern,  Judge 


i 


.iM;'fii 


if 


janlJil  ; 


Ml 


^'Hl 


i- 


l>l 


296  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

Gaston  used  to  read  the  prayers  of  Mass  for  all  the  Catholics 
that  could  bo  collected  together.  The  humility  and  devotion 
with  which  he  would  do  this,  in  the  absence  of  the  priest,  was 
the  edification  of  all  present.  With  Dr.  England  and  Bishop 
Brute  he  kept  up  an  intimate  correspondence;  and  their  let- 
ters to  him  breathe  the  warmest  sentiments  of  affection  and 
esteem.  After  his  death,  his  confessor  declcared  that  he  re- 
garded him  guiltless  of  having  ever  committed  mortal  sin. 

Judge  Gaston  died  at  Raleigh,  N.  C,  in  January,  1844,  in  the 
sixty-sixth  year  of  his  age.  His  last  words  were:  "  iTe  munt  be- 
lieve and  feel  that  there  is  a  God  all-wise  and  almighty.''''  In  his 
death  North  Carolina  lost  her  greatest,  her  favorite  son,  the 
Union  one  of  its  best  and  ablest  defenders,  and  the  Catholic 
Church  one  of  her  noblest  and  most  obedient  children.  As  a 
legislator,  his  name  ranks  with  the  greatest  America  has  produced. 
The  statute-book  of  his  native  State  is  full  of  the  monuments 
of  his  genius.  As  a  profound  jurist  he  was  unsurpassed;  as  a 
man  he  was  an  ornament  to  humanity;  and  as  a  Catholic  he  is 
worthy  of  the  adiniration  of  all  who  love  and  cherish  the  Faith 
of  ages. 


issed ;  as  a 
;hoUc  he  is 
1  the  Faith 


PETER  TOUSSAINT, 

The  Colored  Hero  of  Charity . 

"  The  good  arc  better  made  by  ill, 
As  odors  crusbed  arc  sweeter  still."— Rogers. 

God  knows  no  distinction  of  color;  neither  docs  the  Catholic 
Church,  which  is  God's  representative  on  earth.  Real  piety  is 
equally  grand  wherevei*  it  shines  forth — in  the  heart  of  a  slave, 
or  the  soul  of  an  emperor.  Some  of  the  most  devoted  children 
of  the  true  Faith  belong  to  the  colored  race ;  and  we  take  special 
pleasure  in  pointing  to  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  the  good  Peter 
Tou.'ssaint,  a  heroic  man,  a  noble  Christian,  and  a  right  worthy 
son  of  the  Church. 

Ho  was  born  in  1766,  on  the  plantation  of  Latibonite,  in  the 
island  of  San  Domingo.  *  The  son  of  a  slave,  himself  a  slave,  he 
WHS  carefully  brought  up  in  the  Catholic  faith,  and  soon  became 
the  confidential  servant  of  his  nuister,  Mr.  John  Berard;  and 
when  the  revolution  broke  out  in  the  island,  the  latter  brought 
him  to  New  York,  where  he  left  him  with  Madame  Berard,  Avhile 
he  returned  to  the  West  Indies  to  collect  the  wreck  of  his  for- 
tune.   On  this  voyage  Mr.  Berard  died,  leaving  his  wife  without 
any  resources  at  New  York.     Toussaiut  was  the  solo  support  of 
the  la:ly.     Ho  resolved  to  devote  the  whole  fruit  of  his  toil  to 
her  maintenance.     Being  very  expert  tis  a  hairdresser,  ho  soon 
became,  by  his  politeness  and  intelligence,  the  fashionable  hair- 
dresser to  the  best  society  in  New  York.     Madame  Berard  wi.sh- 
iiij,'  to  be  no  longer  dependent  on  her   slave's  purse,   subse- 
quently married  one  of  her  countrymen,  Mr.  Nicolas,  who,  after 
being  a  rich  planter  in  San  Domingo,  was  soon  reduced  to  pov- 
erty.    Toussaint,  however,  did  not  consider  himself  freed  from 
his  duty  to  his  mistress,  and  continued  to  place  in  her  hands,  no 
less  eagerly  than  delicately,  all  his  savings. 

Besides  this,  he  found  time  to  visit  the  sick  in  their  houses, 
and  the  incidents  related  of  his  charity  are  as  numerous  as  they, 
are  touching.    One  day  he  learned  that  a  poor  priest,  just  landed, 
was  languishing  alone  in  a  garret,  a  prey  to  the  typhoid  fever. 
Toussaint  repaired  to  the  spot,  brought  the  sick  man  down  to 
the  street  in  his  arms,   procured  a  carriage,   took  hiui  to  his 


■#iMI 


It 


it  tti 


i^  i- 


m 


^% 


*  From  De  Couroy'i?  "Catliolic  Church  in  tho  United  States." 

(297) 


nlini 


if 


il 


298  Catholicity  in  tJic   united  Sta. 


cs. 


house,  and  nursed  liliii  till  he  recovered.  T)urin,s?tho  summers 
of  1795  and  '98,  when  the  yellow  fever  ravaged  New  York,  the 
saintly  Father  O'Brien  had  no  more  devoted  assistant  in  his 
care  of  the  sick  and  dying  than  our  young  colored  hero.  On 
one  occasion,  the  epidemic  raged  so  violently  in  Maiden  Lane, 
that  the  police  barricaded  the  ends  oi  the  street,  and  caused 
the  survivors  to  remove,  Toussaint  heard  that  a  poor  woman 
liad  been  abandoned  in  one  of  the  liouses.  Without  a  mo- 
ment's delay  he  crossed  the  barrier,  took  his  place  by  her  bed- 
side, and  lavished  every  care  upon  her. 

In  1810,  Madauie  Nicolas,  on  lier  death-bed,  emancipated  her 
faithful  slave,  (rod  blessed  Toussaint's  charity  by  enabling  him 
to  acquire  a  modest  competence.  lie  devoted  the  greater  part 
of  his  income  to  good  works;  and  not  content  with  giving  him- 
self, he  was  always  ready  to  go  around  with  subscription  lists 
for  churclies,  convents,  orphan  asylums — anything  that  con- 
cerned charity  and  reli.'jjion.  When  thus  soliciting  alms  for 
others,  he  knocked  at  the  doors  of  his  old  customers;  and  do- 
nations of  many  Protestant  families  to  works  essentially  Cath- 
olic are  duo  to  his  influence.  His  whole  life,  in  short,  was  one 
long  act  of  charity.  He  daily  nourished  his  soul  by  reading  the 
'■'■Imitation  of  Christ;''^  nor  was  he  content  till  Ikj  put  its  sub- 
lime maxims  into  practice.  We  are  assured  tliat  for  sixty  years 
he  never  failed  to  hear  Mass  every  morning.  Having  survived 
his  wife  and  children,  ho  left  the  principal  part  of  his  property 
to  a  lady  who  had  been  one  of  his  kindest  patrons,  but  whom 
an  unfortunate  marriage  had  reduced  to  the  utmost  misery. 
He  died  as  he  had  lived  on  the  30th  of  June,  1853,  at  the  ripe 
old  age  of  eighty-seven  years. 

"I  went  to  town  on  Saturday,"  writes  a  Protestant  lady,  "to 
attend  Toussaint's  funeral.  High  Mass,  incense,  candles,  rich 
robes,  sad  and  solemn  music,  were  there.  The  Church  gave  all 
it  could  give  to  a  prince  or  a  noble.  The  priest,  his  friend  Mr. 
Quinn,  made  a  most  intci'osting  address.  He  did  not  allude  to 
Ills  color,  and  scarcely  to  his  station;  it  seemed  as  if  his  virtues 
as  a,  man  and  a  Christian  had  absorbed  all  other  thoughts.  A 
stranger  would  not  have  suspected  that  a  black  man  of  his 
humble  calling  lay  in  the  midst  of  us.  He  said  no  relative  was 
left  to  mourn  for  him,  yet  many  present  would  feel  that  they 
had  lost  one  who  always  had  wise  counsel  for  the  rich,  words 
of  encouragement  for  the  poor,  and  all  would  be  grateful  for 
liaving  known  him. 

"The  aid  he  had  given  to  the  late  Bishop  Fenwick  of  Bos- 


Its  History  from   1S15  to  1850. 


299 


Limiuers 
ork,  the 
t  in  bis 
TO.     On 
311  Lane, 
1  caused 
r  woman 
tit  a  mo- 
'  her  bcd- 

patcd  lier 
.bVing  him 
:e«iter  pavt 
riving  liin»- 
ption  lists 
;  that  con- 
g  alms  for 
rs ;  and  do- 
tially  Cath- 
jrt,  was  one 
reading  the 
put  its  sub- 
sixty  years 
ing  survived 
Ihis  property 
|s,  but  wliom 
iiost  misery. 
1  at  the  ripe 

Lntlady,  "to 
[candles,  ricli 
lurch  gave  all 
lis  friend  l^r. 
]not  allude  to 
J  if  his  virtues 
|thoughts.  A 
man  of  his 
„  relative  was 
Ifeel  that  they 
lo  rich,  words 
,e  grateful  for 


ton,  to  Father  Power  of  our  city,  to  all  the  Catholic  instftn- 

tions,  was  dwelt  upon  at  largo.     How  much  I  have  learned  of 

hiis  cliaritable  deeds  which  1  had  never  known  before  !    Mr. 

Quinn  said:  'There  were  few  loft  am*^"  ~  the  clergy  superior  to 

him  in  devotion  and  zeal  for  the  Church  and  for  the  glory  of 

God ;  among  laymen — none. '  " 

Several  lives  of  this  vcnerablq  man  have  been  written.     The 

Abolitionists  of  Boston  justly  extolled  his  virtues  and  intelli- 

priico ;  and  his  merits  must  have  been  of  no  ordinary  charac- 

TtT.  when  his  being  a  Catholic  did  not  put  him  on  the  index  of 

New  England  Puritanism.     Truly,  we  can  say  with  a  celebrated 

poet: 

"  Honor  and  shame  from  no  condition  rise  ; 
Act  well  your  part,  there  all  the  honor  lies." 


A5.S  I 


II 


IW 


ick  of  Bos- 


CHAPTEK  VI. 

FROM  THE  FIRST  PLENARY  COUNCIL  OF  BALTIMORE  TO  THE 
CREATION  OF  THE  FIRST  AMERICAN  CARDINAL,  AND  TUK 
CENTENNIAL    ANNIVERSARY    OF    AMERICAN    INDEPENDENCE. 

(1850—52  TO  1876.) 

"  I  am  with  you  all  days,  even  to  the  consnmmatlon  of  tbo  world."— Gospei,. 

A  STIimiNG  (iUARTEIl  OF  A  CENTUUY — DKATII  OF  DU.  KCCLE8TON— DR. 
KENKICK— THE  FIKST  PLENARY  COUIiCII, — IJISIIOP  IVES  BECOMES 
A  CATHOIilC— SAN  FKANCISCO— NEW  DIOCESES— ORIGIN  OF  KNOW 
NOTIIINOI8M— THE  PAPAL  NUNCIO— ITALIAN  AND  GERMAN  REFU- 
GEES— SCOUNDRKLISM  RAMPANT — A  FIERCE  COLLISION— FANATICISM 
REVIVED — MAD  PREACHERS — THE  "ANGEL  GABRIEL"— MOB  Rl'IK 
AND  CHURCH  BURNINGS — FATHER  BAPST  TARRED  AND  FEATHKRED 
— FATHER  VETROMILE'S  ADVENTURE — GROWTH  OF  CATHOLICITV- 
THE  CIVIL  WAR — CATHOLIC  CHAKITY  AND  HEROISM — DEATH  OF 
DOCTORS  KENRICK  AND  HUGHES  — PEACE— THE  SECOND  PLKNAHV 
COUNCIL — NEW  DIOCESES — THE  COUNCIL  OF  THE  VATICAN— DEATH 
OF  DR.  SPALDING — THE  FIRt*T  AMERICAN  CARDINAL— STATISTICS  OK 
PROGRESS. 


The  last  quarter  of  a  century  has  been,  in  many  respei'ts, 
one  of  the  most  remarkable  periods  in  the  history  of  the 
world — in  the  history  of  our  Republic — in  the  history  of 
the  American  Church.  The  events  which  marked  the 
])rogress  of  ('atholicity  in  the  great  States  bathed  by  the 
Atlantic,  watered  l)y  the  Mississippi,  and  bordering  on  the 
vast  Pacific,  belong  to  our  own  day ;  and  the  more  striking 
only  can  claim  our  attention.  Details  must  be  left  to  the 
historian  of  particular  dioceses. 

In  the  death  of  Dr.  Eccleston,  in  1851,  the  Church  lost  i 

distinguished  prelate,  by  all  respected  and  beloved.     In  the 

long  procession  which  followed  hi:''  honored  remain;?  to  the 

(300) 


S    TO    THK 
AND    TUK 
INDENCE. 


'_-GOiPEl" 

•LBBTON— DR. 
BS  BBCOMKS 
fN    OV    KNOW 

"—MOB    lUM.K 
J     FKATUKBRD 

ATUOI.K'ITY- 
—DKATH     <»K 
OND     I'l-KN '*'«'' 

nCAN— 1>KATII 

_8TATISTI<^^'-^1' 


any  respeft>, 
listory  of  the 
he  history  of 
marked  tlie 
,atbed  by  the 
lering  on  the 
more  striking 
)e  left  to  the 

Churcb  lo^t  i 
loved.  In  the 
|emaln:i  to  the 


//s  History  from   1850  /i?   1876.  301 

toiul),  could  bo  seen  the  President  of  the  United  States,  liis 
Cabinet,  and  tlie  members  of  the  diplomatic  corps.  J  lis 
successor  in  the  see  of  Bnltimoro  was  the  learned  Francis 
riitrick  Kcnrick,  D.D. 


THE    FIRST    TLENARY    COUNCIL. 

The  new  Archbishop,  by  a  brief  of  Pins  IX.,  was  soon 
( ailed  npon  to  preside  over  the  first  Plenary  Conn(;il*  held 
ill  the  United  States.  This  Conncil  met  in  Baltimore,  in 
^liiy,  1852,  and  was  composed  of  six  Archbishops  and 
twenty-six  Bishops.  Among  other  decrees,  the  Fathers 
projxised  the  creation  of  several  new  dioceses  to  the  Holy 
Sec,  urged  the  supreme  necessity  of  datholic  schools,  and 
solonmlv  condemned  secret  societies,  esneciallv  the  Free- 
niasouii. 

The  close  of  the  same  year  that  witnessed  this  august 
assembly  of  the  prelates  of  the  American  Church,  beheld  a 
sincere  and  scholarly  man,  a  venerable  seeker  afte^*  truth, 
enter  her  bosom.  Dr.  Ives,  for  many  years  the  l^rotestant 
Episcopal  Bishop  of  Xorth  Carolina,  having  gone  to  Rome, 
left  his  rinii:  and  other  insignia  of  his  oftice  at  the  feet  of 
the  illustrious  Pius  IX. ! 

MAKKKD    PR0GEES8. 

San  Francisco,  in  18."):^,  was  raised  to  the  rank  of  a  met- 
ropolitan see,  with  the  Mo.-t  Rev.  Joseph  S.  Alemany, 
0.8.1).,  as  tirst  Archbishop.  In  (.'alifornia  the  Faith  has 
made  marked  progress.  The  majority,  in  fact,  of  the  ohhist 
and  most  respectable  families  in  the  State  are  Catholics. 
At  the  same  period  that  San  Francisco  was  raised  in  rank,  si.x 
new  dioceses  were  erected  along  the  Atlantic  and  in  the 
Mississippi  Valley — namely,  Brooklyn,  Newark,  Burling- 
ton, Erie,  Covington,  and  Katchitoches. 


I    8 


I  r 


%  .  m 


*  A  full  or  national  Council,  consisting  of  all  the  Archbishops 
and  Bishops  of  a  country. 


302  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

KN()W-N(yrnLVOTSM. 

Seeing  this  mighty  ninrch  of  religion,  need  we  bo  sur- 
prised to  learn  that  tlie  lierce  and  fiendish  Bj)irit  of  fanati- 
ei.sm  was  again  aroused^  Cathtdicity  was  once  more  at- 
tacked with  a  venom  and  vigor  nne(|ualled  at  any  previous 
date.  In  short,  the  age  of  Kiiow-Nothlngism  liad  dawned  I 
But  the  origin  and  progress  of  this  disgraceful  movement 
call  for  a  word  of  explanation.  \\\  1852,  the  Holy  Seo 
resolved  to  testify  its  interest  in  the  growing  American 
rhurch  by  sending  one  of  its  most  eminent  representatives, 
Archbishop  Bedini,  Papal  Nuncio  to  Brazil,  on  a  visit  to 
our  country,  in  order  to  judge  of  the  progress  of  Catho- 
licity. In  the  spring  of  that  year  the  Nuncio  arrived  in 
New  York,  and  was  warmly  welcomed  by  our  prelates  and 
people.  After  visiting  many  citie^j  of  the  North  and  West, 
lie  was  courteously  received  by  President  Pierce  at  Wash- 
ington.  But  his  American  path  was  no  longer  to  be  marked 
by  peace  and  courtesy. 


BEVOLDTIONAEY    PESTS. 

The  European  convulsions  of  1848  had  cast  a  swarm  of 
Italian  and  German  revolutionists  on  our  shores.  Witli 
scarcely  an  exception,  they  were  men  of  the  most  dangerous 
character.  The  Italian  refugee-  began  the  vile  onset  on  the 
Papal  Nuncio.  Banished  from  -taly,  which  tlieii-  short 
reign  had  brought  to  the  verge  ol'  ruin,  these  infidel  dema- 
gogues sought  to  obtain  suppuit  abroad  by  flattering  Pn^t- 
estantism,  by  calumniating  the  Pope,  and  by  seeking  to  de- 
stroy the  Faith  in  which  they  had  been  baptized  ! 

Week  after  week,  their  New  York  journal  invented  and 
repeated  the  foulest  slanders ;  the  degraded  ex-Friar  Gavazzi 
dogged  the  steps  of  Mgr.  Bedini  from  city  to  city ;  and  the 
howl  raised  by  barefaced  scoundrelism  was  quite  amazing! 
An  atrocious  plot  to  assassinate  the  Nuncio  was  defeated, 
and  gradually  the  insane  rage  died  away.  The  Mayor  of 
New  York  invited  the  representative  of  the  Holy  See  to  be 


Its  Iliatory  from   1850  to  1876. 


303 


a  iciu'st  of  lus  city,  ami  to  visit  its  establishment.  Ft  was 
liuriii^  liis  stay  liere  tliat  the  Nuncio  consecrated  the  new 
i!isho[)s  of  I'rooklyn,'*  Newark, f  and  I'lirlington,:}:  in  St. 
Patrick's  cathedral. 

Mgr.  Bedini  nnw  proceeded  to  the  West.  Here  ho  was 
ciithiisiastically  received  by  the  Catholics.  l?nt  fanaticisni 
was  aroused  to  fury.  The  Italian  revolutionists,  failing  to 
excite  public  oi)inion,  called  to  their  assistaiice  a  kindred, 
hut  far  more  powerful  orgainzation — the  (lerman  inlidels. 
At  Ciiiciunati,  a  (Jennan  paper,  in  the  interest  of  this])arty, 
api)eared,  with  savage  articles  calling  the  Papal  Nuncio ''11 
hveuii,''  "a  human  butcher,''  "a  murderer,"  ''the  blood- 
hound of  Polomie  ;"  and  concluded  bv  tiercelv  askin<>'  if 
''  ilun'c  is  no  lull,  no  daij<jev  for  a  mondcr — never  equalled 
on  earth /^^  That  evening  five  hundred  (Jennan  infidels 
wore  about  to  make  an  attack  on  the  Archie])iscopal  resi- 
dence, in  which  jVIgr.  Berdini  stop})ed.  They  were  met  by 
ahout  one  hundi'ed  resolute  police.  A  collision  occurred. 
Firearms  were  used.  Eighteen  men  fell  dead.  And  after 
a  hrief  struggle  the  Hotel's  scattered,  leaving  many  of  their 
inniil)er  in  the  hands  of  the  authorities. 

In  1854,  the  re])resentative  of  the  Holy  See  concluded 
his  mission  and  departed  from  our  shoi'es,  deeply  impressed 
with  tJie  love  and  veneration  shown  him  by  the  Catholics  of 
America. 

AN   INFAMOUS    LEAGUE. 

From  the  outrages  against  the  Papal  Nuncio,  Americans 
held  aloof.  It  was  entirely  the  work  of  a  band  of  unprin- 
('il)led  revolutionary  refuge  v-;.  Still,  sectarian  fanaticism — • 
dormant  since  tlic  riots  of  iS-i-J: — was  again  warmed  into  life 
hy  the  anti-Catholic  ravings  of  these  wretches,  and  especially 


'  t  •  '. 


*  Tho  Right  Rev.  .John  Louglilin,  present  Bishop  of  Brooklyn. 

t  The  Most  Rev.  James  R.  Bayley,  now  Archbishop  of  Balti- 
more. 

I  The  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Do  Goesbriand,  still  ecclesiastical  ruler 
of  Vermont. 


^^   >P' 


it 


Ml 


'M  HI 

i  ; 


04  Catliolicity  in  the  United  States. 


by  the  envenomed  preachings  of  Gavazzi.  Tlio  result  was, 
a  new  coalition  was  formed  against  the  Catholics.  It  began 
in  the  shades  of  secret  oath-bound  clubs.  The  enemies  of 
religion,  known  ten  vears  befoie  as  ^^JVatwes,'"  now  i^ave 
their  organization  a  new  name  witliont  changing  its  cliarac- 
ter ;  and  the  ^'"Know-JVotlnixj^''''  soon  adO|)te(l  a  regular 
system  of  provocation  and  outrage  against  onr  faith  and  its 
ju'ofossors.  Tlie  name  tiiey  chose  well  characterized  this 
class  of  fanatics  whose  ignorance  was  pitiable — who  IcarncMl 
no  truths  and  forgot  no  fable.  They  foolishly  helieved  tliitt 
by  destrovinii:  churches  thev  would  destrov  (Aitholicitv.* 

Their  lirst  plan  was  to  emyjloy  mad  preachei's  to  declaim 
against  "  Pojiery  "  in  the  public  streets  and  Sfpiares,  in  hopes 
of  provoking  the  (^atlioli-,  and  especmU ij  the  h'l.sh  Catlui- 
lics,  to  resent  thcii'  insolence.  Then  after  the  example  ni 
18-14-,  tliey  rushed  on  the  Catholics — the  alarm  was  given— 
and  the  mob  hnrried  to  the  nearest  church  alreadv  marked 
out  in  their  wicked  councils  for  the  vengeance  of  impiety! 
New  York,  Boston,  Brooklyn,  Xewark,  St.  Louis,  Louis- 
ville, and  other  cities  were  disgraced  by  riots  and  mob  rule. 

DESTllL'CTlOX    O;'    »  iVT/OLIC    CUUKCHES. 

Orr,  one  of  the  insane  preachers,  ]n'ofanely  assumed  tli  ■ 


I 


*  The  "  iVflf''i^es  "  pretended  to  be  afraid  that  Catholics  were 
facing  to  destroy  the  Bible,  and  they  arose  to  defend  it  against 
the  attacks  of  "foreign  papists  !  "  Just  think  of  it,  ye  sensible 
Americans  of  the  Centennial  year  I  Tlie  '^  Knofo-jSlnliuigs"'  wcr^i 
..  so  anxious  to  defend  the  Bible,  and  to  save  the  country  from 
me  invasion  of  the  Pope  !  Their  constitution  was  adopted  early 
in  the  isnnitner  of  185-1.  Its  object  is  thus  stated  in  ejection  I.  of 
that  document  : 

"The  object  of  this  organization  shall  be  to  resist  the  insid- 
ious (!)  policy  of  the  Church  of  Rome  and  other  foreign  influence 
against  the  institutions  of  our  country,  by  placing  in  all  ofiices 
in  the  gift  of  the  people,  or  by  appointment,  none  but  native- 
born  Protestant  citizens.'' 

By  their  oaih  tlin  mombers  wore  especial./  bound  to  remove 
"  all  Roman  Cuiholics  and  all  foreiffncru  from  offlne.''^ 

Gov.  Wise,  of  Virginia,  a  Protestant,  lashed  those  hypocrites 
and  humbugs— not  to  call  them  by  any  worse  names — thus  : 


Its  IIisto7'y  from   1850  to  1876. 


;o5 


name  of  the  "Angel  Gabriel,"  and  his  patli  was  marked  by 
scenes  of  lire  and  blood.  The  mob  rnshed  on  two  Catholic 
clnn'clics  in  New  Hampshire,  and  destroyed  them  from  top 
to  bottom.  At  Bath,  Maine,  a  furious  multitude,  led  on  by 
Orr,  reduced  the  Catholic*  church  to  ashes  ;  and  a  year  after, 
r)ishop  Bacon — the  newly- consecnited  bishop  of  Portland — 
was  ]M'evented  from  laying  the  corner-stone  of  a  new  church 
on  the  site  of  that  destroyed. 

The  (irerman  Catholic  church  at  Newark  was  demolished 
by  an  Orange  procession.  Deplorable  events  occurred  at 
Louisville.  On  the  occasion  of  the  elections  in  that  city  in 
the  sunnner  of  1855,  the  Know-Nothings  wildly  attacked  the 
Catholics.  Houses  were  burned,  or  pillaged.  More  than 
twenty  persons  perished — some  in  the  flames,  othei's  beneath 
the  nuu'derous  hands  of  assassins,  who  spared  neither  women 
nor  children.  It  was  only  by  handing  the  keys  to  the  Know- 
Nothing  Mayor  of  Louisville  and  demanding  protection,  that 
Bishop  Spalding  saved  his  cathedral  from  the  advancing 
mob  which  loudly  threatened  to  commit  it  to  the  flames ! 


I 


THE  FATHER  BAPST  OUTRAGE. 

Ihit  the  climax  of  disgrace  was  reached  in  the  iiendish  out- 


"They  not  only  appeal  to  the  religious  element,  but  they 
raise  a  cry  about  the  Pope.  These  men,  many  of  whom  are 
noithor  Episcopalians,  Presbyterians,  Baptists,  Methodists,  Con- 
trr(>g!itionalists,  Lutherans,  or  what  not — who  are  men  of  no  re- 
ligion, who  have  no  Church,  who  do  not  say  their  prayers,  who  do 
not  read  their  Bible,  who  live  God -defying  lives  every  day  of 
their  existence,  are  now  seen  with  faces  as  long  as  their  dark- 
lanterns,  with  the  white  of  their  eyes  turned  up  in  holy  fear  lest 
the  Bible  should  be  shut  up  by  the  Pope  !  Men  who  were  never 
known  before,  on  the  face  of  God's  earth,  to  show  any  interest  in 
religion,  to  take  any  part  with  Christ  or  His  Kingdom,  who 
were  the  devil's  own,  belonging  to  the  devil's  church,  are.  all 
of  a  sudden,  deeply  inte  -ested  for  the  Word  of  God  and  against 
the  Pope  !  It  would  be  well  for  them  that  they  joined  a  church 
wliieli  does  believe  in  the  Father,  and  in  the  8on,  and  in  the 
Holy  Ghost." 


■  ► 


i 


Mi 


306  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

rage  committed  on  tlie  venerable  Jesuit,  Father  John  Bapst, 
pastor  at  Ellsworth,  Maine.  While  in  the  act  of  hearing 
confessions,  he  was  dragged  out  of  the  house,  by  a  party  of 
the  vilest  ruttians,  stripped  of  his  clothes,  placed  on  a  rail, 
and  borne  amid  the  taunts  and  insults  of  these  hellhounds, 
till  the  rail  breaking,  the  heroic  priest  was  dashed  on  the 
ground.  They  then  covered  his  naked  body  with  melted 
tar,  and  rolling  him  in  feathers,  left  him  !  And  it  M'as 
wretches  who  called  themselves  men  and  Americans  that 
committed  this  dastardly  outrage  !  A  hero  and  worthy  son 
of  the  Order  which  produced  Xavier  and  Bi'ebeuf,  Father 
Bapst  said  Mass  the  next  morning. 


A    GKAPHIC    PICTURE    FROM   THE    PEN    OF    A    MISSIONARY. 

The  disgraceful  condition  of  certain  portions  of  our  coun- 
try, at  this  time,  cannot  be  better  described  than  in  the 
language  of  the  learned  missionary,  Rev.  Eugene  Yetromile, 
D.b. : 

''  It  was  the  year  of  the  Know-Nothings,"*  he  whites, 
"  and  the  Bostonians  yet  recollect  the  trouble  which  this 
secret  organization,  led  by  that  rascal  profanely  called  the 
Angel  Gahriel.,  caused  them.  On  Sunday  evening  a  mob 
numbering  many  thousands  had  come  to  attack  and  demol- 
ish St.  Mary's  church,  and  to  murder  tlie  priests  in  the 
house  attached  to  it.  I  was  obliged  to  ])ass  through  that 
mob  to  attend  a  sick  call.  Had  they  knowji  who  I  was,  I 
do  not  know  what  would  have  become  of  me.  But  I  took 
the  precaution  of  disguising  myself. 

"  I  was  soon  afterwards  sent  to  Maine.  My  first  reception 
in  that  State  often  reverts  to  my  mind.  It  was  in  the  time 
of  the  outrages  at  Ellsworth  towai-ds  I  lev.  J.  Bapst,  S.J. 
I  was  going  to  him.  By  steamer  I  went  to  Bncksport  ;  there 
I  took  the  stage  for  Ellsworth,  and  I  had  no  objection  to  be 
known  as  a  priest.  We  lauded  at  the  hotel,  and  it  was 
whispered  all  around  '  a  priest ! '     'a  priest ! '     Some  coiu- 


■•  Letter  to  the  author. 


hs  Ilistoyy  from   1850  to  1876. 


307 


Some  com- 


nienc'Ctl  to  bark  at  me,  others  to  laugh,  otliers  to  sneer,  others 
to  threaten  and  snap  their  tingei's  at  me.  I  wondered  whetlier 
I  was  in  a  town  of  dogs,  savages,  or  wild  animals !  *  *  I 
e-implv  asked  where  the  priest's  house  was.  It  was  indicated  ; 
and  when  I  reached  it,  I  found  all  the  windows  smashed, 
and  learned  from  the  housekec'})cr,  who  was  sick,  that  the 
day  before,  the  mol)  had  assailed  the  house  with  stones,  and 
smashed  many  things ;  and  that  Father  Ba])st  had  gone  to 
Ijangor.  By  telegraph  I  received  a  message  to  goto  Bangor. 
At  nine  p.  m.  I  went  to  the  hotel  to  engage  the  stage  for 
IJangor  at  one  o'clock  a.  m.;  and  in  returning  to  the  house, 
I  was  followed  by  a  number  of  men,  threatening  me.  I  was 
alone  and  the  street  was  solitary.  They  walked  behind  me 
threatening  atid  cursing  the  priest.  I  stopped  to  let  them 
pass  on,  which  they  did,  but  they  finally  stood  at  the  corner 
where  I  was  to  turn  to  the  y\sA\X  for  the  house.  Perceiving 
their  wicked  intention,  I  determined  not  to  go  to  the  house, 
hilt  to  continue  my  way  up  hill,  feigning  to  go  elsewhere. 
1  wore  a  white  duster  and  a  white  straw  hat.  Having 
reached  them,  1  continued  upward  without  turning  for  the 
house.  They  were  staring  at  me,  and  I  heard  one  saying  to 
the  other :  '  This  is  not  the  priest.'  At  a  safe  distance  I 
stopped  under  a  ti'ee  from  which  1  could  see  them  by  the 
moonlight,  without  being  observed.  After  some  time  I  saw 
the  i)arty  going  back.  1  then  crossed  a  field  and  went  to  the 
house.  At  one  a.  m.  the  stage  called  for  me,  and  I  was  glad 
to  get  out  of  Ellsworth. 

"1  must  add,  tliat  after  the  affair  of  Ellsworth,  when  they 
tarred  and  feathered  l^'ather  Bapst,  I  attended  that  mission, 
and  twice  I  saw  the  tar  and  feathers  intended  for  me;  but 
1  had  organized  a  number  of  good  Irishmen  who  gave  a 
sound  thrashing  to  the  leaders  of  the  mob,  which  scattei'ed 
like  sheep,  and  that  ended  the  trouble.  I  need  not  mention 
that  they  threatened  to  shoot  me." 

A  DEATU  wrrn    no  dic  pkofundis. 
A  sketch  of  Ivnow-Nothinijjism  and  all  its  acts  of  vandal- 


ns 


308  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

ism,  and  hostility  towards  Catholicity,  would  fill  a  voluiTie. 
For  a  tiinc  it  l)()ldly  stalked  around  eveiy  comer  of  our 
cities,  visited  religious  houses,  made  iniquitous  laws  in  rehi- 
ti(jn  to  ecclesiastical  property,  insulted  the  ancient  Faith, 
])urned  churches  Avith  impunity,  and  audaciously  ruled  legis- 
latures! And  after  covering  the  United  States  with  shame 
and  disgrace,  it  spent  itself,  died,  and  went  the  way  of  all 
iniquity,  leaving  behind  nothing  save  a  name  of  reproach — 
a  name  synonymous  with  the  lowest  ignorance  and  ruffian- 
ism ! 

PERSECUTION  AND  PR0GKES8. 

Catholicity  but  grew  and  expanded  amid  the  fierce  and 
violent  sea  of  storms  which  surged  around  the  American 
Church.  One  result  of  the  Know-Nothing  movement  M-as 
to  drive  thousands  of  good,  sensible  people  into  the  true 
fold.  Truth,  like  a  beautiful  star,  shone  out  amid  the 
clouds  of  intolerance  and  persecution.  Grand  edifices,  con- 
secrated to  religion,  arose  as  they  never  did  before.  In  1 855, 
the  superb  Cathedrals  of  St.  Paul  at  Pittsburg,  and  St. 
Joseph  at  Buffalo,  were  solemnly  dedicated.  The  new  dio- 
ceses of  Fort  Wayne,  Alton,  and  Marquette  were  erected  in 
1857 ;  while  the  following  year  witnessed  the  ceremony  of 
laying  the  corner-stone  of  St.  Patrick's  cathedral,  New  York, 
by  Archbishop  Hughes,  in  the  presence  of  over  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  thousand  persons.  It  was  also  at  this  period 
that  our  Holy  Father  Pius  IX.  was  pleased  to  confer  tlie 
rank  of  primacy,  for  the  time  being,  on  the  see  of  Balti- 


more 


* 


THE    CnUECn    AND    THE    CIVIL    WAR. 

A  few  years  passed  by,  and  the  fearful  rumble  of  civil 
war  was  heard.  The  ravings  of  sectarian  ministers  and 
political  demagogues  did  much  to  hasten  the  awful  catas- 
trophe.    Thauk  God,  the  same  cannot  be  said  of  Catho- 


*  This  privilogo  vvns  conferred  in  J 858. 


Its  History  from  1815  to  1876. 


309 


licity.  The  sublime  mission  of  the  Church  is  to  proclaim 
^••lad  tidings  of  peace  to  man — not  to  preacli  strife  and  hatred 
among  bretliren.  And  those  who  worshipped  in  tlie  Catholic 
c'hurclies  of  the  United  States  during  the  spring  and  sum- 
mer of  i8(»l  "would  never  liave  supposed,  from  anything 
heard  within  their  walls,  that  the  trumpet  had  sounded 
through  the  land ;  that  araiies  were  gatliering  and  camps 
were  forming ;  that  foundries  were  in  full  blast,  forming 
the  implements  of  death ;  that  artificers  were  hard  at  work, 
fashioning  the  rifle  and  the  revolver,  sharpening  the  sword, 
and  pointing  the  bayonet ;  that  dock-yards  rang  with  the 
clang  of  hannners,  and  resounded  with  the  cries  of  myriads 
of  busy  men — that  America  was  in  the  fii'st  throes  of  des- 
perate strife."* 

The  spirit  and  position  of  the  Church  was  well  explained 
in  the  Pastoral  Letter  of  the  third  Provincial  (Council  of 
CinciiHiati,  which  assembled  in  May,  1861 : 

"  It  is  not  for  us,"  say  the  Fathers  of  that  Council,  "  to  in- 
(jiiire  into  the  causes  which  have  led  to  the  present  uidiappy 
( omlition  of  allairs.  This  inquiry  belongs  more  appropriately 
to  those  who  are  directly  concerned  in  managing  the  affairs 
of  the  Kepublic.  The  spirit  of  the  Catholic  Church  is  emi- 
nently conservative;  and  while  her  ministers  rightfully  feel 
a  deep  and  abiding  interest  in  all  that  concerns  the  welfare 
of  the  country,  they  do  not  think  it  their  province  to  enter 
into  the  political  arena.  They  leave  to  the  ministoi's  of  the 
human  sects  to  discuss  from  their  pulpits  and  in  their  eccle- 
siastical assemblies  the  exciting  questions  wliich  lie  at  the 
l)asis  of  most  of  our  present  and  prospective  difticulties. 
Thus,  while  many  of  the  sects  have  divided  into  hostile 
parties  on  an  exciting  politic.il  issue,  the  Catholic  Church 
has  carefully  preserved  her  unity  of  spirit  in  the  bond  of 
peace,  literally  knowing  no  North,  no  South,  no  East,  no 
West.  Wherever  Christ  is  to  be  preached  and  sinners  to 
be  saved,  there  she  is  found  with  ministrations  of  truth  and 

*  Mngnire. 


■A 


3IO  Catholicity  in  the   United  States. 

mercy.  She  leaves  the  exciting  question  referred  to  pre- 
viously, where  the  Apostle  of  the  Gentiles  left  it,  content- 
ing herself,  like  him,  with  inculcating  on  all  classes  and 
grades  of  society  the  faithful  discliarge  of  the  duties  belouo-- 
ing  to  their  res[)ective  states  of  life,  knowing  that  they  will 
have  to  render  a  strict  account  to  God  for  the  deeds  done 
in  the  Hesh ;  that  this  life  is  ehort  and  transitory,  and  that 
eternity  never  ends.  Beyond  this  point  her  ministers  d  • 
not  consider  it  their  f)rovinco  t )  go,  knowing  well  that  they 
are  the  ministers  of  God,  who  is  not  a  God  of  dissension, 
but  of  peace  a:..  ■  love." 

The  clitsl-  -IS,  the  fierce  contest,  the  deadly  struggle 

unhappily  began.  But  as  time  went  on,  and  the  war  pro- 
gi'esftcd  With  varying  fortunes,  and  fury  possessed  the  hearts 
of  a  mighty  peo^-'j,  l.ijii.  should  a  stranger  enter  a  Catiiolic 
temple,  he  could  scarcely  believe  in  the  existence  of  the 
storm  that  raged  without.  The  only  signs  of  the  tremen- 
dous conflict  were  the  many  sable  robes,  the  sad  livery  of 
woe  worn  by  women  and  children — the  mothers,  wives,  or 
orphans  of  soldiers  who  had  fallen  in  battle.  It  is  in  days 
of  darkness  and  misfortune  that  the  sublimity  of  the  true 
Faith  shines  out  in  all  its  brightness.  The  Catholic  Church 
of  America  was  neither  bewildered  by  the  noise  and  smoke 
of  battle,  nor  did  she  lose  her  heavenly  charity  at  the  siglit 
of  scenes  of  blood.  She  simply  fulfilled  her  mission,  the 
same  as  that  of  the  Apostles  of  old — she  preached  the  word 
of  God  in  peace  and  lovingness. 

CATHOLIC   CIIAEITY. 

"My  diocese,"  wrote  Dr.  Spalding,  Bishop  of  Louisville, 
"  is  cut  in  twain  by  this  unhappy  w^ar,  and  I  must  attend 
to  souls,  without  entering  into  the  angry  political  discus- 


sions 


?j 


The  fearless  Catholic  priest  cheered  and  consoled  the  last 
moment  of  the  dying  soldier.  Tlie  angelic  Sister  of  Charity 
soothed  sufl'ering,  and  battled  near  the  bed  of  death.  "  What 
our  noble  Sisters  did,''  says  an  eloquent  writer^   "around 


Its  History  from   1850  to  1876. 


311 


these  beds  of  agony  to  alleviate  human  suffering  has  nut 
heeii  written.  Their  deeds  belong  to  (lodVs  history,  and 
when  the  final  reckoning  is  made,  they  perliaps  may  weigh 
more  than  "N'ietories  won  or  l)attles  lost.  In  the  hospi- 
tals of  Lonisville  alone  they  baptized  over  six  hundred  men, 
who,  when  the  world  was  fading  fj-om  sight,  sought  the 
XvM  of  Heaven."  * 

Often,  Avhen  death  approached  and  the  ex])ericnced  eye 
of  the  Sister  beheld  it  coming,  she  vvouhl  kindly  ask  the 
soldier  if  ho  wished  to  see  a  clergyman.  The  answer  fre- 
quently was,  that  he  belonged  to  no  religion.  "  Then  will 
YOU  become   a  Catholic  ? "     And   from   hnndreds  of  sick 

1 

beds  the  reply  was :  "  I  don't  know  much  about  religion, 
hut  I  wish  to  die  in  the  reliijion  of  the  Sisters.'*  And  often 
the  dyhig  man,  when  asked  if  he  believed  in  the  Holy 
Trinity,  would  turn  to  the  Daughter  of  Charity,  who  stood 
by  his  bedside,  and  inquire :  "  Do  you,  Sister  ? "  On  her 
answering,  "  Yes,  I  do,"  he  would  say,  "  Then  I  do — 
whatever  the  Sister  believes  in,  I  do."  And  thus  would  the 
soldier  who  had  faced  cannon  and  braved  the  terrors  of 
battle  make  his  last  confession  of  faith. 

"  The  greatest,  the  best,  and  the  most  learned  of  our  prel- 
ates," writes  Bishop  Spalding  in  his  journal  of  July  8, 
1S64,  "was  found  dead  in  his  bed  this  morning.  The  ven- 
erable Dr.  Kenrick  is  no  more  in  this  world,  but  is  doubt- 
less in  Heaven,  praying  for  us." 

During  the  subsequent  year,  the  great  and  good  Arch- 
bishop I  luglies  passed  to  a  better  world.  AVell  might  the 
suffering  American  Church  mourn  !  She  had  lost  her  two 
greatest  sons ;  they  were  ''men  of  renown,  and  our  fathers 
in  their  generation."  Dr.  Sj^alding  of  Louisville  succeeded 
Archbishop  Kenrick  in  the  see  of  Baltimore;  while  Dr. 
-McCloskey  of  Albany  was  appointed  successor  to  Arch- 
bishop Hughes. 


.;  * 


"t 


T'F 


)      I 


i 


'  (  t     '\ 


"^■W 


4^  ^'^ 


Hov.  J,  L.  Spalding,  S.T.L. :    "Life  of  Archbishop  Spald- 


Uig. 


if^lplp 


312        .  Catholicity  in   the  United  States. 

The  outlook  now  appeared  gloomy,  and  despair  almost 
took  the  place  of  hope  in  many  a  brave  breast.  "  The  fu- 
ture of  our  Cliureh,  as  of  our  counti-y,''  wrote  Archbisliop 
Spalding  at  this  time,  "  is  very  uncertain.  PJverything  looks 
dark.  But  the  Church  will  stand,  however  pei'secuted. 
Dgus  Providelnt  n  It  was  in  those  days  of  storm  and  strife 
that  the  magnificent  cathedral  of  Philadelj^hia  was  dedi- 
cated.  The  peaceful  ceremony  shone  out  like  a  ray  of  hope 
from  amid  the  dark  clouds  of  war  and  disastei*. 

After  a  conflict  of  four  long  yeai-s,  the  sound  of  battle 
slowly  died  away.  Tlie  awful  struggle  and  carnage  had 
ended,  lea\  ing  behind  a  prostrate  land,  and  scenes  of  ruin 
and  desolation. 


THE     SECOND    PLENAKY    COUNCIL. 

With  the  approval  of  Pius  IX.,  the  second  Plenary 
Council  of  Baltimore  was  convoked  in  1866.  This  memo- 
rable event  exhibits  the  » itality  of  the  American  (Jhureh. 
The  great  national  crisis  had  broken  the  sects  in  pieces.  In 
fact,  when  all  else  was  shattered.  Catholicity  alone  re- 
mained a  U!iit !  It  now  became  necessary  that  the  collective 
wisdom  of  the  Church  in  the  o)ice  more  United  States 
should  determine  what  measures  should  be  adopted  in  order 
to  meet  the  new  phase  of  national  life  which  the  result  of 
the  war  had  just  inaugurated.  Archbishop  Spalding  pre- 
sided over  the  Council,  which  met  in  October.  Seven 
Archbisho])s,  thirty-eight  Bishops,  three  mitred  Abbots, 
and  over  one  hundred  and  twenty  theologians  took  part  in 
the  deliberations.*  Rarely  has  Kome  herself  witnessed  a 
more  august  assembly,  and  more  rarely  still,  one  so  remark- 
able in  its  character.  Even  in  point  of  numbers,  it  was  one 
of  the  very  largest  assemblies  of  prelates  since  the  Council  of 
Trent. 

The   Council   lasted   two   weeks.     The   decrees    of   the 


*  Of  the  forty-nine  mitred  prelates,  sixteen  were  natives  of 
America,  nine  Irish,  twelve  French,  two  Flemish,  three  Spanish, 
two  Swiss,  and  two  G'ornuui. 


Its  History  from   1850  to   1876. 


'^    T    T 


Fatliers  form  the  ])est  7mdtum  in  pai'^vo  of  eeclesiastii'al 
law  on  this  side  of  the  Athintic/^  Among  other  desirable 
measures,  the  prelates  expressed  an  ardent  wish  to  see  a 
Catholic  University  established  in  our  eonntrj;  and  peti- 
tioned the  Holy  See  for  the  erection  of  many  new  dio- 

t'C'SL'S. 

The  people  of  the  United  States  beheld  this  majestic  and 
\  iiierable  assembly  with  admii-ation.  "  The  country  had  just 
(■(Pine  forth  from  a  most  terrible  crisis,  in  which  many  an- 
cient landmarks  had  been  effaced,  and  the  very  ship  of  State 
iutd  been  wrenched  from  her  moorings.  House  had  been 
divided  against  house,  and  brother's  hands  had  been  raised 
im-ainst  brother.  The  sects  had  been  torn  asunder,  and  still 
kv  iji  confusion  and  disorder,  helping  to  widen  the  abyss 
which  threatened  to  engulf  the  nation's  life.  Half  the 
country  was  waste  and  desolate ;  the  people,  crushed,  bowed 
beneath  the  double  weight  of  the  memory  of  tlie  past, 
which  could  no  more  return,  and  of  the  thonglit  of  the 
future,  which  seenied  hopeless.  On  the  other  side  there 
was  the  weariness  and  exhaustion  which  follow  a  supreme 
effoit,  and  the  longing  for  peace  and  happiness  after  so 
much  bloodshed  and  misery. 

"  All  wei'e  ready  to  applaud  any  power  that  had  been  able 
to  live  through  that  frightful  struggle,  unhurt  and  un- 
harmed ;  and  when  the  Catholic  Church  walked  foitli  before 
the  eyes  of  the  nation  clothed  in  the  panoply  of  undimin- 
ished strength  and  of  unbroken  unity,  thousands  who  but 
a  while  ago  would  have  witnessed  this  manifestation  of  her 
power  with  jealous  concern,  now  hailed  it  with  delight  as 
a  harbinger  of  good  omen.  Then  it  must  be  confessed,  too, 
that  during  the  war,  men  had  seen  more  of  the  Church,  and 
having  learned  to  know  her  bettei-,  had  come  to  love  her 
more.     There  was  not  a  village  throughout  the  land  where 


, 


I 


*  Besides  the  "Acts"  of  the  Council,  see  an  excellent  litrlo 
Avoik  by  Rev.  Professor  Smith  of  Seton  ilall  College,  entitled 
'"Notes  on  the  Second  Plenary  Council  of  B.altiiuoro." 


314 


Catholicily  in  the   United  Slates. 


some  brave  soldier,  not  a  Catholic,  was  not  fuiintl  to  8])euk 
the  praises  of  her  heroic  (lau<^'hters,  who,  while  men  fouglit, 
stood  by  to  stancjb  the  blood."'' 

During  the  long  conilict,  however,  the  Cluireh,  especially 
at  the  South,  suH'ered  severelv.  At  the  termination  of  the 
struggle,  the  diocese  of  Charleston,  S.  C,  had  but  one  priest, 
and  most  of  ita  churches  were  levelled  to  tlie  ground.  "Tho 
Mar,"  writes  a  distinguished  prelate,  "  liad  a  most  injurious 
elfect  on  our  old  Maryland  Catholic  families."t 

NEW    DIOCESES THE    VATICAN    COUNCIL. 

The  Holy  See  after  approving  the  decrees  of  the  Second 
Council  was  pleased,  in  18G8,  to  erect  the  following  new 
dioceses  :  Rod  ester,  Green  Bay,  Harrisburg,  Scranton,  hx 
Crosse,  Columbus,  St.  Joseph,  Wilmington,  Grass  Valley, 
and  the  Vicariates  of  Colorado  and  Arizona. 

In  December,  1809,  the  great  Ecumenical  Council  of  the 
Vatican  began  its  sittings.  The  United  States  was  repre- 
sented by  forty-nine  prelates — men  who  were  devoted,  head 
and  heart,  to  the  highest  interests  of  the  Church.  Their 
record  is  as  honorable  to  Catholicity  as  it  is  glorious  to  our 
Church  and  country. 

The  American  Church,  in  the  year  1872,  wept  over  the 
death  of  four  of  her  tried  and  ablest  sons — Archbishop  Spald- 
ing of  Baltimore,  Fishop  McGill  of  Richmond,  Dr.  Michael 
O'Connor  and  Father  Peter  John  De  Smet  of  the  Society 
of  Jesus.  Most  Rev.  James  Roosevelt  Bayley  w^as  nomi- 
nated to  fill  the  vacant  see  of  Baltimore,  while  Dr.  James 
Gibbons  w^as  appointed  to  the  see  of  Richmond. 

THE    riEST    AMERICAN    CARDINAL. 

The  Catholics  of  the  United  States  have  ever  proved  their 
devoted  attachment  to  the  Holy  See  ;  and  in  return,  the 
glorious  Pius  IX.  loves  his  American  cliildren.  In  the  spring 
of  1875,  he  conferred  a  memorable  honor  on  our  Church. 
The  venerable  John  McCloskey,  Archbishop  of  New  Yoi'k, 

*  "Life  of  Archbishop  Spalding." 

t  Letter  of  Archbishop  Bayley  to  the  author. 


Its  History  J rom   1850  Z^;  1S76. 


j':) 


Wilt;  nilseJ  to  tlio  dignity  of  the  Cunliimluto  ;  and  on  the  iiTth 
of  Ai)i'il,  ill  ^t.  Tatricka  cathech'al,  were  witnessed  eere- 
nioiiies,  which  in  beauty  and  grandeur,  surpassed  anything 
ever  .seen  on  the  Aine.':'an  eontinent.  Tliey  marked  an 
epoch  in  tlie  history  of  "he  New  AVorld.  When  all  was 
over,  and  the  countless  multitude  knelt,  the  hundde  and  illus- 
trious prince  of  the  Cliurch  uttei'ed  l\is  blessing  ;  and,  truly, 
it  was  the  tirst  Cardinal's  benediction  ever  given  in  America ! 
While  New  York  was  thus  honored,  Boston,  riiiladelphia, 
Milwaukee,  and  Santa  Fe  were  raised  to  the  rank  of  nuit- 
ropolitan  sees.  The  beautiful  cathedral  of  Boston  was 
recently  dedicated ;  and  tlie  great  St.  Patrick's  cathedral  of 
New  York,  rapidly  appi-oaches  completion,  (xrand  monu- 
ments of  the  Faith  adorn  other  cities.  Thus  on  all  sides  the 
Cliurch  marks  her  course  with  achievements  of  art  dedicated 
to  religion.  She  builds  for  eternitv.  Her  life  and  aetivitv  re- 
ceive  their  impulse  from  above.  As  an  element  in  our 
country's  gi'owtli,  strength,  and  civilization,  the  Catholic 
Church  has  far  outstripped  all  competitors.  By  the  latest 
official  statements  she  numbers  among  her  devoted  children, 
one  Cardinal,  ten  Archbishops,  fifty-eight  Bishops,  above  five 
thousand  priests,and  a  Catholic  population  of  over  six  millions. 

The  following  table,  however  imi)erfect,  requires  neitlier  elabor- 
ate explanationh",  nor  eulogistic  phrases  of  introduction.  With 
a  simple  and  condensed  eloquence,  it  points  out  the  mighty 
iiiareh  of  the  Faith  from  the  memorable  day  when  Charles  Car- 
roll of  Carrollton  put  his  honored  name  to  the  Declaration  of  In- 
dependence down  to  the  Centennial  Anniversary  of  the  Nation's 
freL-dom.  In  the  progress  of  lleligion,  in  the  trials  and  triumphs 
of  Catholicity,  wo  can  clearly  recognize  the  hand  of  the  good  and 
all-powerful  God.  When  we  look  back  at  the  unsurpassed  labors 
of  His  American  apostles,  and  the  toils  of  the  faithful  who  served 
Him  in  the  wilderness,  and  amid  sufferings  and  persecutions,  we 
may  well  exclaim : 

"  Nothing  great  is  lightly  won, 
And  nothing  won  is  lost." 

While  lea^^ng  the  reader  to  examine  a  century  of  the  Faith's 
progress,  and  to  mourn  losses  not  marked  among  the  gains,  we 
pass  on  to  review  the  labors  of  Catholicity  in  otlier  fields. 


r    i 


'4       T- 


mr^ 


316  Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 


to 

00 


o 

CO 

00 


9 


Sis 


T-IO 


o 

lA 
00 


o 

00 


Rili??;^'S| 


o 

CO 
00 


o 

00 


1H    C3    CC     TV    # 


O 

iH 
00 


00 


CO 


to 


S^: 


•-I'w  S 


o 
9 


«? 


S»   «  eo;w 


s 


3 


Hi 


©.■^iS 


O    <=,  ' 


■g  § 


o  to 


o  © 


O   C  >i  t5 


:^ 


w  .X  ^  ^ 


13   43ij- 


S   i>   u'i  's 


E  p-s:  .s  3 


ft  a  c  .s 


is  I  a  .a   rt 


.a  S   u   o  j  «   «    3 


-!^ 


-Is? 


--I3 


■^.a 


-a 

•r  a 


■<  O  <!  «  »,  O  i»  W  Oifa  O  H  I      fe 


a 

I 

V 


a 

•a 


s 

•S  2 

>>< 

2 « 
s  - 


2  s 

.5  « 


■O    fil 

A     0} 


.=  -^ 


a  T? 


■  >.         C  », 


n  o 


;-C        t)  ■« 


MOST  UFA'.   F'^RANCIS  PATRICK  KKNRICK,  D.D.* 

"  Tki;  love  of  God  \n  honorable  wisdom.'    Eccles. 

Archbishop  Kciirick  was  om»  of  tho  great,  good,  and  gontle- 
lioartcd  nioii  of  tlic  nineteenth  century.  The  son  of  exeellent 
Catholic  parents,  he  was  born  at  Dublin,  Ireland,  in  179G.  On 
coiupli'ting  his  collegiate  course,  he  was  cliosen  to  bo  one  of 
those  who  had  tho  privilege  of  studying  at  Rome,  in  tho  re- 
nowned University  of  the  Proi^aganda.  Tin-  seven  years  he  spent 
tlicrc  were  years  of  close  study,  untiring  preparation,  and 
tliorough  S(  It-culture  tipon  the  model  of  the  saints, 

(iraduating  with  liigh  honors,  Doctor  in  Divinity,  ho  was  soon 
iifter  i«ent  on  the  American  mission  to  till  tho  chair  of  professor 
of  theology  in  the  Seiidnary  of  St.  Thomas, f  at  Bardstown,  Ken- 
tiii'ky.  Here,  his  superior  mental  endowments,  p'ofound  ac- 
(liiaintaiK  e  with  sacred  science,  familiarity  with  the  writings  of 
tlio  Fathers,  tho  decrees  and  canons  of  the  Church,  and  Holy 
Scripture,  made  him  the  admiration  of  all  who  know  him.  Bishop 
Flagct  loved  the  young  Doctor  as  a  father  loves  his  child.  Ho 
prized  him  as  the  jewel  of  his  diocese. 

At  once.  Dr.  Kenrick  became  a  recognized  elmmpion  of  the 
Faith.  Tho  learning  and  eloquence  which  shone  in  his  discourses, 
delivered  during  tho  Jubilee  of  1826-27,  so  irritated  sectarian  min- 
isters that  he  was  obliged  to  notice  their  imprudent  attacks. 
Rov.  Dr.  Blackburn,  President  of  the  Presbyterian  College  at 
Danville,  Ky.,  publicly  assailed  the  doctrine  of  the  Ileal  Presence. 
Dr.  Kenrick  soon  silenced  him.  A  Methodist  minister  boldly 
came  forward,  but  he  proved  to  bo  a  small  object  in  the  hands 
of  the  Propaganda  graduate.  A  minister  of  the  Anglican  Church 
mot  even  a  worse  fato.  Finally,  a  Presbyterian  preacher,  more 
ardent  than  prudent,  ventured  to  attack  Dr.  Kenrick  publicly, 
but  was  answered  so  triumphantly  on  the  spot,  and  before  tlie 
same  audience,  that  when  the  poor  man  arose  to  speak  in  re- 
joinder, he  was  abandoned  by  all — Protestants  as  well  as  Catho- 
lics. Many  conversions  to  the  true  faith  resulted  from  the  young 
priest's  lectures  and  discussions. 


*  From  Dr.  R.  IT.  Clarke's  "  Lives  of  the  Deceased  Bishops,"  Vol.  I. 
t  One  of  his  pupils  in  this  institution  was  afterwards  his  immediate  succes- 
sor in  tin;  metropolitan  see  of  Baltimore— the  learned  and  amiable  Archbishop 

Bpaldin;,^ 

(31:) 


f 

n 

sfS 

I: 

i'. 

i 

1 

\ 

i 

'1: 

1 

11 
ii 

3i8  Catholicily  in  ihc  United  States. 

As  a  pulpit  orator,  Dr.  Konrick  bad  few  equals  in  this  or  any 
other  country.  An  eminent  Prote.'itant  gentleman,  who  often 
heard  him,  after  he  became  Bishop  of  Philadelphia,  used  to  pay 
that  in  beholding  him  '*  he  thought  he  saw  Paul  addressing  the 
Areopagus  at  Athens." 

He  attended  the  first  Provincial  Council  of  Baltimore,  in  1829, 
as  theologian  to  Bishop  Flaget.  The  advanced  age  of  Bisliop 
Conwell,  of  Philadelphia,  and  the  deplorable  difficulties  into 
which  his  diocese  was  plunged,  pointed  out  to  the  Council  the 
necessity  of  a  coadjutor.  The  choice  fell  upon  Dr.  Kenrick,  and 
the  Holy  See  ratified  the  action  of  the  bishops.  He  was  conse- 
crated Bishop  of  Arath  in  partibus  and  coadjutor  of  Philadel- 
phia, in  Juno,  1830. 

The  difficulties  of  his  position  would  have  appalled  almost  any 
other  man.  Ho  was  far  from  being  welcomed  by  any  party  in 
Philadelphia.  The  old  Bishop  and  his  adherents  were  not  satis- 
fied ;  indeed,  Dr.  Kenrick  was  hastily  invited  to  leave  the  epis- 
copal residence,  which  ho  did.  From  the  lay  trustees  he  might 
expect  no  friendship.  They,  in  their  self-constituted  greatness, 
did  not  wish  their  authority  to  be  overshadowed  by  a  mitre  ! 
But  Dr.  Kenrick  understood  his  position,  and  he  was  not  the 
sort  of  man  to  be  trifled  with.  He  felt  that  he  had  none  but  God 
to  rely  on.  For  him  that  was  enough.  He  rented  a  house  on 
Fifth  street,  proclaimed  himself  pastor  of  St.  Mary's,  and  inter- 
dicted the  church  as  the  trustecr:  would  not  recognize  him.  And 
though  he  had  scarcely  enough  money  to  buy  his  meals,  he  com- 
menced an  ecclesiastical  seminary  in  the  upper  room  of  his  resi- 
dence. 

He  soon  brought  the  rebellious  trustees  of  St,  Mary's  to  a  sense 
of  duty.  At  first,  they  were  exasperated.  Their  rage  scarcely 
knew  bounds.  But  Dr.  Kenrick,  wearing  his  cassock  and  cross, 
attended  an  evening  meeting  of  pew  holders,  called  by  the  trus- 
tees. Dr.  Hughes,  then  a  priest  in  Philadelphia,  tells  us  what 
the  young  Bishop  did.  "  Gloria  in  Exvelsis  Deo,^^  wrote  the 
future  Archbishop  of  New  York,  "the  neck  of  the  bad  principle 
was  broken  last  night.  Dr.  Kenrick  attended  the  meeting  him- 
self. *  *  *  He  made  them  eat  their  own  words.  -^  *  *  He 
told  them  they  must  not  dare  to  control  him  in  the  exercise  of 
his  episcopal  authority.  *  *  *  They  are  at  his  feet.  *  *  * 
It  is  the  flrot  time  within  ten  years  that  an  attempt  has  been 
made  to  pluck  up  the  root  of  the  sidiisni — and  I  assure  you.  Dr. 
Kenrick  did  it  with  a  giant's  hand." 

With  the  trustees  of  old  St.  Paul's,  Pittsburg,  he  had  still 


Its  History  from   1850  to  1876. 


319 


further  diflBculties.  "We  built  the  church!"  they  exclaimed. 
"What  right  has  the  Bishop  to  it?"  "Gentlemen,"  said  Dr. 
Konrick,  "  the  church  is  yours.  You  have  a  perfect  right  to  do 
what  you  pleaf.e  with  it.  You  may  make  of  it,  if  you  will,  a  fac- 
tory, and  I  shall  not  interfere.  But  there  is  one  thing  which  I  tell 
yoLi,  and  it  is  this  :  If  you  wish  it  to  he  a  Catholic  church  you  must 
comply  with  the  requirements  of  the  Jaw,  lohich  I  have  laid  htfore 
you.  Now  do  as  you  please.'"  The  people  at  once  rallied  to  the 
support  of  their  Bishop,  and  the  trustees  were  quickly  brought 
to  their  senses. 

In  connection  with  this  Pittsburg  aflPiair  an  anecdote  is  related. 
''What's  the  matter  ?"  isaid  a  genial  old  Irishman,  as  he  met 
several  persons  who,  after  leaving  the  church,  were  loudly  rav- 
ing over  Dr.  Konrick's  address.  "Didn't  you  hear?"  they  re- 
plied. "The  Bishop  wants  to  take  our  church  from  us  ! "  "In- 
deed ! "  he  said,  "  and  will  he  take  it  over  the  mountains  with 
him  ?"  (An  expression  used  in  allusion  to  crossing  the  Allegha- 
nies  to  Philadelphia.)  "Oh,  of  course  not,"  was  the  reply. 
"And  do  you  think,"  continued  the  old  gentleman,  "  that  if  ho 
gets  it  he  will  let  us  into  it  ? "  "  Oh,  of  course  he  will,"  was  the 
answer.  "And  hear  Mass  there?"  "Well,  yes."  "And  go 
to  confession  and  say  our  prayers  ?"  "  Oh,  of  course,  of  course." 
"Arrah  !  then,"  concluded  the  old  gentleman,  "what  else  do 
we  want  with  it  !   On  these  terms  he  may  have  it,  and  welcome  ! " 

Tlie  vast  labors  of  Dr.  Kenrick  as  bishop  and  archbishop  can- 
not be  told  in  a  few  pages.  When  he  came  to  Philadelphia  in 
1830  there  were  but  Ave  churches  and  ten  priests  in  the  city.  The 
rest  of  the  diocese  was  also  poorly  provided.  When  he  was 
transferred  to  Baltimore  in  1857,  he  left  to  his  successor  101 
priests  and  40  seminarians,  94  churches,  besides  a  splendid  array 
of  male  and  female  Religious  Orders,  and  of  Catholic  institu- 
tions. The  humble  seminary  which  the  learned  Bishop  began 
in  an  upper  room,  soon  found  enlarged  quarters,  and  it  is  now 
widely  known  as  the  Theological  Seminary  of  St.  Charles  Borro- 
nieo. 

In  1814,  ho  beheld  the  long-gathering  and  long-threatening 
clouds  of  religious  bigotiy  break  at  length  in  a  terrific  storm 
over  the  Church  of  Philadelphia,  leaving  behind  ruins  and  de- 
vastations, appalling  by  their  magnitude  and  atrocity.  During 
this  sacrilegious  reign  of  terror,  Bishop  Kenrick's  voice  was  only 
hoard  exhorting  his  persecuted  flock  "  to  follow  peace  and  havo 
charity." 

Ti.  the  fall  of  1851,  Dr.  Konrick  was  transferred  to  the  metro- 


It  l' 


^il 


tM 


320  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

politan  8e3  of  Baltimore,  left  vacant  by  the  death  of  Archbishop 
Eccleston.  At  the  same  time,  the  Holy  See  appointed  him  Apos- 
tolic Delegate,  with  the  right  of  presiding  over  the  National 
Councils  of  the  United  States.  The  first  great  act  of  Archbisliojj 
Kenrick  was  to  summon  together  the  Prelates  of  this  Republic, 
in  May,  1852,  and  ho  was  the  first  to  preside  over  so  august  nn 
assembly.  At  the  invitation  of  Pius  IX. ,  he  repaired  to  Rome,  in 
1854,  to  take  part  in  the  deliberations  which  resulted  in  the  dog- 
matic definition  of  the  Immaculate  Conception.  He  rejoiced  in 
that  crowning  glory  to  the  devotion  of  the  Most  Holy  Mary. 

The  remainder  of  his  life  was  spent  in  good  works  of  all  kinds. 
The  literary  and  theological  master-pieces  which  he  left  behind 
proclaim  his  industry,  his  prodigious  learning,  and  the  fertility 
of  his  gifted  pen.  "Yet  the  composition  of  these  learned  works," 
gays  Rt.  Rev.  Dr.  O'Connor,  "never  interfered  with  the  dis- 
charge of  ofiicial  duty  ;  they  never  prevented  him  from  being 
ready  to  receive  and  entertain  any  that  called  on  him.  If  oven 
a  servant  girl  came  to  visit  him,  he  would  lay  down  his  pen,  let 
her  feel  at  homo  as  long  as  she  wished  to  stay,  and  then  resume 
it  when  she  thought  fit  to  retire." 

The  Archbishop  also  gave  much  of  his  time  to  the  confessional, 
His  familiarity  with  the  French,  German,  Spanish,  and  Italian 
languages  caused  him  to  be  surrounded  by  penitents  who  spoke 
these  tongues. 

When  the  late  civil  war  broke  out.  Dr.  Kenrick  deplored  the 
ruin  which  it  entailed  on  a  once  happy  and  united  country.  He 
ceased  not  to  pray  for  peace.  His  gentle  heart  was  filled  with 
anguish  when  he  heard  of  the  rage  of  contending  hosts  and  the 
fearful  slaughter  on  the  battle-fields.  Indeed,  it  has  been  thought 
that  his  death,  which  followed  the  bloody  day  of  Gettysbur/, 
was  hastened  by  this  cause.  He  went  to  bed  in  perfect  health. 
"With  placid  countenance,"  says  Bishop  O'Connor,  ''and  his 
hands  crossed  over  his  breast,  in  one  holding  his  scapular,  he 
was  found  dead  in  the  morning — a  form  of  death,  terrible  indeed 
to  those  forgetful  ot  God,  but  a  great  grace  to  one  who  like  him 
died  daily,  living  every  day  ready  for  the  call.  *  *  *  He  ha; 
gone,  but  such  men  live  forever.  In  the  history  of  the  Catholii 
Church  in  the  United  States,  the  chapter  which  records  the  life 
of  Archbishop  Kenrick  will  adorn  one  of  its  brightest  pages  ' 


!  'nil 


rchbishop 
bim  Apos- 
i  National 
rclibislioi) 
Republic, 
august  an 
;o  Rome,  in 
in  the  dog- 
rejoiced  in 
Y  Mary. 
)f  all  kinds, 
I  left  behind 
the  fertility 
•ned  works," 
dth  the  dis- 
from  being 
im.    If  even 
1  his  pen,  let 
then  resume 


MOST  REV.  JOHN  HUGHES,  D.D.* 

"  Virtue  Is  bold, and  goodness  never  fearful."— Shakespeabe. 

"The  mysterious  hand  which  governs  the  universe,"  says 
Balines,  "seems  to  hold  an  extraordinary  man  in  reserve  for 
every  great  crisis  of  society."  It  is  in  this  light  that  wo  view 
Arclibishop  Hughes  and  his  illustrious  career. 

Jolui  Hughes  was  born  at  Annaloghan,  near  the  market-town 
of  Augher,  County  Tyrone,  Ireland,  on  the  24th  of  June,  1797. 
His  parents,  Patrick  Hughes  and  Margaret  McKenntv,  were  in 
comfortable  circumstances,  but  especially  respecto'.  for  their 
virtue  and  intelligence.  His  father  was  better  educated  than 
most  men  of  his  class  ;  while  his  mother  was  remarkable  for  a 
refinement  of  character  far  beyond  her  position  and  opportuni- 
ties. John  was  early  sent  to  school  near  his  native  place,  with 
a  view  to  his  entering  the  priesthood.  Here  ho  was  well 
grounded  in  English  branches,  but  had  not  the  advantage  of 
the  classics. 

A  reverse  of  fortune  compelled  his  father  reluctantly  to  with- 
draw the  youth  from  school,  and  set  him  to  work  with  his 
brothers  on  one  of  the  farms,  of  which  he  conducted  two.  In 
the  midst  of  his  labors,  John  fondly  and  earnestly  thought  of 
his  true  vocation.  "  Many  a  time,"  he  afterwards  told  a  friend, 
"have  I  thrown  down  my  rake  in  the  meadow,  and  kneeling  be- 
hind a  hayrick,  begged  of  God  and  the  Blessed  Virgin  to  let  mo 
become  a  priest."  He  increased  his  opportunities  for  study  by 
reviewing  at  night  all  that  he  had  learned  at  school.  The  per- 
secutions which  Catholics  then  t?uffered  in  Ireland  were  keenly 
felt  by  Mr.  Hughes  and  his  family,  and  by  none  more  than  by 
the  ardent  John,  who  was  open  in  his  expressions  of  disgust  and 
indignation.  He  warmly  seconded  his  father's  inclination  to 
emigrate  to  America. 

In  1816,  Mr.  Hughes,  senior,  landed  in  America,  and  settled 
at  Chambersburg,  Pa.,  and  there  John,  then  in  his  twentieth 
year,  soon  joined  him,  and  the  rest  of  the  family  followed  the  year 
after.  The  future  Archbishop  first  found  employment  with  a 
gardener  and  nurseryman  on  the  eastern  shore  of  Maryland, 
and  afterwards  worked  successively  at  Chambersburg  and  Em- 

*  From  the  "Life  of  Archbishop  llnp:hc?,"  by  John  R.  G.  Hassard  ;  Dr. 
f  larkc'>  "  Livcb  of  thp  DoceaHed  Biphopf;,"  Vol.  U  ,  and  various  other  (sources. 

21  f32l) 


lit 

ill. 


I 


}ii*i 


i 


i  I 


if 


i, 


W: 


m 


I 


32  2  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


mittsburg,  turning  his  liand  to  any  honest  labor  that  presented 
itself.  At  one  time,  he  toiled  as  a  day-laborer  on  a  little  stone 
bridge  over  a  small  stream  on  the  road  from  Emmittoburg  to 
Taneytown.  But  he  never  lost  sight  of  his  vocation  for  the 
priesthood,  and  his  object  in  going  to  Emmittsburg  was  to  be 
on  the  watch  for  an  opportunity  to  enter  the  College  of  Mount 
St.  Mary,  then  little  more  than  a  rude  academy,  under  the 
charge  of  Rev.  Fathers  Dubois  and  Brut6,  afterwards  Bishops  of 
New  York  and  Vincennes.  Several  refusals  and  disappointments 
but  strengthened  the  young  man's  admirable  resolution.  At 
length,  in  the  fall  of  1819,  he  was  taken  into  the  College  on  con- 
dition of  superintending  the  garden  in  return  for  his  board, 
lodging,  and  private  instruction.  While  his  garden  duties  were 
faithfully  discharged,  he  employed  his  hours  of  study  to  the  best 
advantage. 

In  1820,  being  in  his  twenty  third  year,  Mr.  Hughes  was  re- 
ceived as  a  regular  student  of  the  college.  He  was  untiring  in 
his  application.  With  great  success  he  passed  through  the 
routine  of  teacher,  at  the  same  time  that  he  rapidly  acquired 
Latin,  Greek,  and  mathematics.  Though  he  became  proficient 
in  these,  they  were  never  his  favorite  studies— he  viewed  them 
simply  as  the  means  to  an  end.  It  was  in  the  congenial  realms 
of  theology,  philosophy,  logic,  and  history,  that  his  soul  seemed 
to  expand.  He  also  occasionally  preached,  and  wrote  poetry 
It  is  sa.d,  however,  that  his  first  sermon  gave  much  brighter 
promise  of  a  future  divine,  than  his  maiden  verses  gave  of  a 
future  poet.  Under  the  saintly  Brut6,  who  continued  his  affec- 
tionate counsellor  throughout  life,  Mr.  Hughes  made  rapid  pro- 
gress in  learning  and  solid  virtue. 

In  the  fall  of  1826,  he  was  elevated  to  the  priesthood  by  Bishop 
Conwell,  in  St.  Joseph's  church,  Philadelphia.  For  several  years 
he  labored  zealously  on  various  missions.  His  groat  prudence 
enabled  him  to  avoid  getting  mixed  up  with  the  lamentable  dif- 
ficulties of  the  tjmes.  He  soon  learned  the  evil  effects  of  trustee- 
ism,  and  the  lessons  thus  early  impressed  on  his  mind,  gave  him 
that  knowledge  and  experience  which  afterwards  led  him  to 
destroy  the  system  in  the  diocese  of  New  York. 

He  soon  became  eminent  as  a  pulpit  orator.  There  was  a 
something— a  magnetism  about  the  noble-looking  young  priest, 
and  his  soul-stirring  discourses,  that  attracts  crowds  to  hear  him. 
Bishop  Conwell  was  delighted  with  him.  The  aged  prelate 
would  frequently  say;  "We'll  make  him  a  bishop  someday." 
Aa  a  controversialist,  he  was  also  noted.     In  1820,  he  founded  St. 


Its  History  from  1850 /<?  1876. 


323 


'csented 
le  stone 
,burg  to 
for  the 
as  to  be 
of  Mount 
ndcr  the 
;ishops  of 
)intment8 
tion.     At 
re  on  con- 
lis  board, 
uties  were 
,0  the  best 

,e9  was  re- 
intiring  in 
irough  the 
ly  acquired 
3  proficient 
ewed  them 
nial  realms 
ioul  seemed 
[ote  poetry. 
Ich  brighter 
s  gave  of  a 
led  bis  affec- 
[e  rapid  pro- 
Id  by  Bishop 
Several  years 
it  prudence 
lentable  dif- 
Ids  of  trustee- 
id,  gave  him 
led  him  to 

There  was  a 
loung  priest, 
itohearliim- 
aged  prelate 
i)  some  day." 
lo  founded  St. 


John's  Orphan  Asylum,  and  about  this  tiniG  he  seems  to  have 
been  unoflleially  proposed  at  Rome  as  Bishop  of  Philadelphia; 
but  the  choice  fell  on  Dr.  Kenrlck.  The  emancipation  of  the 
CathoUcs  of  Ireland  in  1829,  was  hailed  with  joy  by  thousanda 
in  America,  but  by  none  more  than  by  Rev,  Mr.  Hughes. 
Through  life  he  was  devotedly  attached  to  his  native  Isle,  whose 
wrongs  he  saw  and  deeply  felt  in  his  youth.  Of  Daniel  O'Con- 
ncll  ho  was  an  enthusiastic  admirer. 

The  following  extract  from  a  private  letter  gives  us  an  insight 
into  one  of  the  secrets  of  that  success  which  appeared  to  follovv 
the  future  Archbishop  of  New  York,  like  his  shadow.  It  was 
addressed  to  the  newly-appointed  Bishop  Kenrick,  by  his  pupil, 
young  M.  J.  Spalding,*  then  on  liis  way  to  the  Propaganda,  and 
is  dated  May,  1830:  "I  have  had  the  good  fortune  to  meet 
with  Rev.  Mr.  Hughes.  I  handed  him  your  letter,  to  which  I 
am  indebted  for  the  kind  manner  in  which  he  received  me.  He 
is  a  gentleman  of  the  most  polite  and  engaging  manners,  blend- 
ing the  amiable  modesty  and  reserve  of  the  priest  with  the  easy 
deportment  of  the  man  of  the  world.  He  has,  I  think,  a  bright 
future  before  him."t 

In  1832,  the  celebrated  Hughes  and  Bredkenridge  controversy 
occurred.  The  Rev.  John  Breckenridge  was  a  Presbyterian 
minister.  Through  the  columns  of  The  Christian  Advocate,  he 
made  a  series  of  bold  attacks  on  the  Catholic  Church,  and  even 
challenged  priests  or  bishops  to  meet  him  "on  the  whole  field  of 
controversy  between  Roman  Catholics  and  Protestants."'  For  a 
time  no  attention  was  paid  to  Mr.  Breckenridge's  taunting  chal- 
lenge; but,  on  a  certain  pressing  occasion,  one  of  Father  Hughes' 
own  flock  pledged  himself  that  his  pastor  would  meet  the  great 
champion  of  the  Reformation.  The  gentleman  informed  the 
zealous  young  priest  of  his  promise.  "  Since  you  rely  upon  me," 
was  the  reply,  ^^  I  will  not  fail  you.''^  And  he  did  not  fail.  Min- 
ister Breckenridge  never  challenged  another  Catholic  priest. 
The  event  gave  Father  Hughes  an  enviable  fame.  It  at  onco 
placed  him  in  the  front  rank  as  a  man  of  sharp  and  powerful 
intellect,  and  unsurpassed  skill  in  debate. 

It  was  at  this  period  that  he  established,  and  for  a  time  edited, 
the  Catholic  Herald,  and  built  St.  John's  church,  then  the  favor- 
ite and  by  far  the  most  elegant  Catholic  place  of  worship  in 
l^hiladelphia. 


*  Afterwards  Archbishop  of  Biiltlmore. 
t  "  Life  of  Archbishop  Spalding." 


324  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


%'i 


Father  Hughes  was  suggested  for  the  bishopric  of  Cincinnati 
in  1836,  and  it  was  only  by  a  curious  misunderstanding  at  Rome 
that  he  was  not  appointed.*  In  January,  1838,  he  was  consecra- 
ted coadjutor  to  his  old  master,  Dr.  Dubois,  in  New  York,  with 
the  title  of  Bishop  of  Basileopolis  in  partibus.  In  the  following 
year,  powers  of  administration  were  conferred  upon  him,  and  on 
the  death  of  Bishop  Dubois,  he  succeeded  to  the  full  dignity  of 
Bishop  of  Now  York.  His  rule  from  the  first  was  active  and 
vigorous.  He  grappled  with  the  evils  of  trusteeism,  and  the  pre- 
tentions of  the  lay  trustees  at  the  Cathedral,  at  St.  Peter's,  and 
elsewhere  were  quickly  disposed  of.  In  1840,  he  founded  St. 
John's  College,  at  Fordham,  since  the  honored  Alma  Mater  of 
hundreds  of  clergy  and  laity.  He  also  visited  Europe  to  get 
money  and  missionaries  for  his  diocese  ;  and,  on  his  return, 
entered  into  the  movement  already  started  by  the  Catholics  of 
New  York  to  obtain  a  share  of  the  common  school  fund  for  the 
support  of  their  schools.  In  a  memorable  debate  before  the 
Common  Council,  in  the  fall  of  1840,  he  discussed  the  v>'hole  ques- 
tion, and  opposed  alone  eminent  counsel  representing  the  Public 
School  Society,  and  five  prominent  clergymen  from  various  Prot- 
estant denominations.  The  Bishop's  efforts  on  this  occasion  are 
among  his  ablest  productions.  Though  defeated  by  the  Com- 
mon Council,  he  carried  the  question  to  the  Legislature,  and  it 
became  an  issue  in  the  next  election  (1841),  when  Dr.  Hughes 
caused  the  Catholics  to  nominate  a  ticket  of  their  own.  Secta- 
rian prejudice  was  aroused  to  fury.  And  as  the  great  Catholic 
champion  of  the  occasion,  the  Bishop  had  his  hands  full  of  con- 
troversies, which,  however,  he  conducted  with  matchless  argu- 


*  As  suitable  candidates  for  the  see  of  Cincinnati,  Rev.  Messrs.  Hughes  and 
Purcell  were  nominated  on  the  same  list.  So  equal  were  their  claims  that  thu 
authorities  at  Rome  were  at  a  loss  to  decide  as  to  which  should  bo  appointed. 
The  celebrated  Bishop  England  was  there  then.  The  Cardinal  Prefect  of  tlio 
Propaganda  meeting  him  one  diiy,  asked  him  If  he  could  mention  some  p;ii  ticii- 
lar,  however  trifluig,  to  turn  the  scales  in  favor  of  one  or  the  other  noiniuec 
After  a  moment's  thought.  Dr.  England  replied:  "There's  one  point,  your 
Eminence.  Mr.  Hughes  is  emphatically  a  self-made  man,  and  perhaps  on  that 
account  more  acceptable  to  the  people  of  a  Western  diocese  than  Mr.  Purcell." 
"  Ah  !  "  said  the  Cardinal,  "  I  think  that  will  do."  Meeting  Dr.  England  the 
next  day,  he  said  :  "  Well,  Bishop,  the  question  is  settled.  As  soon  as  I  told 
the  Cardinals  what  you  said  about  Mr.  PurceWs  being  a  self-made  man,  they 
unanimously  agreed  upon  him,  and  the  nomination  will  at  once  be  presented 
to  his  Holiness  for  approval." 

"  I  was  about  to  explain  the  mistake,"  said  Bishop  England  afterwards  to  a 
friend,  "  but  I  reflected  that  it  was  no  doubt  the  work  of  the  s])lrlt  of  God,  and 
was  silent." 


Its  History  from   1850  to  1S76. 


325 


raent,  bold  defiance,  and  unruffled  courage.  The  result  of  this 
agitation  was  the  overthrow  of  the  Public  School  Society,  and 
the  establishment,  substantially,  of  the  system  which  now  pre- 
vails. From  this  period  forward  the  erection  of  Catholic  schools 
became  one  of  the  chief  labors  of  the  great  prelate's  life. 

In  1844,  the  fiendish  spirit  of  Know-Nothingism  filled  Phila- 
dt'lpliia  with  scenes  of  fire  and  blood.  The  undaunted  courage 
and  fearless  energy  of  Bishop  Hughes  alone  prevented  the  same 
gcones  from  being  enacted  in  New  York.  He  counselled  peace. 
He  warned  the  Mayor  of  the  city.  But,  at  the  same  time,  he 
boldly  resolved,  if  necessary,  to  die  with  his  fiock  in  defense  of 
the  churches.  The  latter  were  guarded  by  faithful  men,  ready 
to  shed  the  last  drop  of  their  blood  in  defense  of  God's  altars. 
Ruffianism  quailed  at  this  unflinching  attitude  of  the  Catholics 
and  their  great  spiritual  chief.  The  apprehended  outbreak  spent 
itself  in  wild  threats  of  assassination  against  Dr.  Hughes,  and  in 
a  fierce  newspaper  warfare,  in  which  the  leaders  of  Know-Noth- 
ing  violence  against  Catholics  found  in  him  a  champion  able  to 
defend  his  own  camp,  and  capable  of  carrying  the  war  into  the 
enemy's  country. 

In  the  meantime,  he  established  schools,  continued  his  bat- 
tles with  unruly  trustees,  introduced  the  Jesuit  Fathers,  Chris- 
tian Brothers,  Ladies  of  the  Sacred  Heart,  and  other  societies, 
and  urged  his  clergy  to  renewed  efforts  in  the  cause  of  true  edu- 
cation. During  the  war  with  Mexico,  President  Polk  proposed 
to  send  Dr.  Hughes  as  a  special  peace  envoy  to  the  Mexican  Re- 
public, but  he  refused  the  misson. 

Though  one  of  the  most  devoted  citizens  of  the  United  States, 
Dr.  Hughes  never  forgot  his  native  land.  He  loved  it  with  his 
last  breath.  In  1847,  when  the  famine  was  raging  in  Ireland,  he 
sent  the  collections  just  taken  up  for  his  Theological  Seminary, 
amounting  to  $14,000,  to  relieve  his  unhappy  countrymen.  He 
was  a  noble  patriot,  and  was  greatly  mortified  by  the  failure  of 
the  '48  movement. 

At  this  period  he  was  invited  to  preach  before  Congress  in  the 
Capitol  at  Washington.  He  took  as  his  subject :  "  Christianity, 
the  only  Source  of  Moral,  Social,  and  Political  Regeneration." 
Indeed,  his  sermons,  lectures,  essays,  and  letters,  almost  number- 
less, astonish  and  puzzle  the  mind,  as  to  how  a  prelate  of  his 
active  life  could  find  time  to  throw  off  such  rich  productions, 
solid  as  they  are  brilliant. 

In  1850,  Dr.  Hughes  was  appointed  Archbishop,  receiving  the 
VQlUnm  from  the  hands  of  the  Holy  Father  himself.   The  United 


wmma 


326  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

States  Minister  at  Rome  was  unofflcially  instructed  from  Wash- 
ington to  urge  liis  creation  as  Cardinal.  Tlie  venerable  Arch- 
bisliop  was  one  of  tlie  American  prelates  present  in  the  Eternal 
City  at  the  definition  of  the  dogma  of  tlie  Immaculate  Concep- 
tion, in  1854  ;  and  at  that  event  no  Catholic  heart  beat  with 
more  joy  than  his  own. 

In  1858,  he  began  the  erection  of  the  new  St.  Patrick's  cathe- 
dral; and  the  following  year  manifested  his  warm  sympathy  for 
the  Holy  Father  in  his  trials.  At  this  period  he  issued  an  in- 
spiring pastoral  on  the  subject,  which  was  so  gratefully  re- 
ceived by  Pius  IX.  that  he  ordered  it  to  be  printed  at  the  Prop- 
aganda in  Italian  and  English — a  distinction  never  before  con- 
ferred on  any  other  pastoral  at  Rome.* 

At  the  beginning  of  the  civil  war,  Archbishop  Hughes  was  fre- 
quently consulted  by  Secretary  Seward  and  President  Lincoln. 
In  1861,  he  was  sent  by  the  Government  on  a  special  mission  to 
Europe.  Of  the  object  of  this  journey  ho  wrote  to  Cardinal 
Barnabo  :  "My  mission  is  a  mission  of  peace  between  France 
and  England  on  the  one  side  and  the  United  States  on  the  other. 
I  made  known  to  tlie  President  that  if  I  should  come  to  Europe 
it  would  not  be  as  a  partizan  of  the  North  more  than  of  the  South; 
that  I  should  represent  the  interests  of  the  South  as  well  as  of 
the  North  ;  in  short,  the  interests  of  the  United  States,  just  the 
same  as  if  they  had  never  been  distracted  by  the  present  civil 
war."  He  visited  Paris,  Rome,  and  Ireland,  and  had  long  and 
interesting  interviews  with  the  French  Emperor  and  Empress, 
After  his  return,  in  1862,  an  official  intimation  was  conveyed  to  the 
Holy  See  that  the  President  would  be  greatly  pleased  to  see  him 
made  a  Cardinal.  But  it  seems  that  Providence  reserved  this 
dignity  for  his  spiritual  son  and  successor.  At  this  time,  Dr. 
Hughes  founded  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Troy,  the  last  of 
the  ecclesiastical  institutions  established  by  him.  His  last 
attempt  at  public  speaking  was  during  the  draft  riot  in  New 
York,  in  July,  1863,  when  he  made  a  speech  to  the  people  at  the 
request  of  Governor  Seymour,  to  dissuade  them  from  violence. 

He  had  long  been  in  failing  health.  Years  of  unceasing  toil 
had  shattered  his  once  powerful  frame.  He  had  spent  himself 
for  religion — for  God.  He  had  borne  the  heat  and  burden  of  the 
day.  He  had  fought  the  good  fight ;  and  now  he  was  about  to 
receive  the  reward  of  the  faithful  servant.   Surrounded  by  loved 


*  Archbishop  Hughes  sent  a  copy  of  this  masterly  pastoral  to  all  the  crown 
heads  of  Europe,  except  Queen  Victoi  i,i  and  Victor  Emmanuel. 


Its  History  from   1850/^  1876.  327 

and  venerable  friends,  the  great  prelate  departed  from  the  Bcenos 
of  his  earthly  toils,  trials,  and  triumphs  on  January  3d,  1864. 
The  Legislature  and  Common  Council  passed  resolutions  of  con- 
dolence, and  from  every  quarter  testimonials  of  respect  were 
otfcrod. 

Of  Dr.  Hughes  we  can  truly  say,  he  was  an  illustrious  man — 
one  of  the  glories  of  the  American  Church.  And  whether  wo  con- 
template the  noble  boy  kneeling  by  the  hay-rick,  or  the  famous 
Archbishop  building  up  the  Church  in  the  Empire  State,  reflect- 
ing honor  on  his  Faith  and  his  countrymen  by  the  lustre  of  his 
name,  or  counselling  rulers  and  presidents,  speaking  words  of 
warning  and  wisdom  to  kings  and  emperors,  or  carrying  in  his 
hand  the  destiny  of  nations,  there  is  still  to  be  seen  the  same 
grandeur  of  soul,  the  same  sublimity  of  life.  It  is  the  sun  rising 
in  tlio  east,  moving  on  its  silent  course.  brilliantl7  shining  in 
the  west,  and  finally  sinking  amid  the  sad  and  solemn  splendor 
of  its  evening  rays.  His  glorious  career  is  a  light  for  after  times. 
Catholicity  in  America  owes  him  a  debt  of  gratitude  which  figures 
cannot  express. 


A 


lit  J  ! 


'x 


■! 


W.% 


fl;  ,; 


iii 


MOST  REV.  MARTIN  J.  SPALDING,  D.D.* 

"  Thy  Bonl  was  like  a  star,"— Wordsworth. 

Martin  John  Spalding,  the  son  of  Richard  Spalding  and  Hen- 
rietta Hamilton,  was  born  near  Lebanon,  Marion  County,  Ken- 
tucky, in  1810.  His  ancestors  belonged  to  one  of  the  olduKt 
Maryland  families,  his  grandfather  having  settled  in  Kentucky 
in  1790.  In  the  words  of  his  biographer,  "  his  ancestors  were 
not  all  of  English  origin ;  for,  through  his  groat  grandmother, 
Ellen  O'Brien,  he  received  a  tinge  of  Celtic  blood,  to  whicli  ln! 
was  very  fond  of  alluding."  Baptized  by  the  famous  Father 
Nerinckx,  he  lost  his  good  and  gentle  mother  in  his  sixth  year. 
An  elder  sister  and  an  excellent  aunt  partly  supplied  her  place. 

When  about  eight  years  old,  Martin  was  sent  to  school  to  a 
gentleman  whose  college  was  a  log-cabin  in  the  backwoods  near 
the  Rolling  Fork.  His  first  intellectual  feat  was  to  master  the 
multiplication  table  In  one  day.  In  1821,  Rev.  William  Byrne 
opened  St.  Mary's  College,  near  Lebanon,  and  among  the  first 
students  was  young  Spalding.  He  was  soon  the  favorite  pupil 
of  the  institution.  Such  was  his  remarkable  progress,  that  at 
fourteen  years  of  age.  Father  Byrne  appointed  him  professor  of 
mathemathics.  "  He  was  at  this  time  a  slender, delicate  boy, .soft 
and  gentle  as  a  girl,  and  to  a  remarkably  quick  and  bright 
mind,  added  a  disposition  so  sweet  that  no  one  could  help  lov- 
ing him."  The  veteran  professor  of  mathematics  at  St.  Joseph's 
College,  Bardstown,  had  a  great  contempt  for  the  boy-profes.'^or, 
and  publicly  boasted  that  he  would  put  him  to  shame.  With 
this  view  he  went  to  the  next  examination  at  St.  Mary's,  and 
proposed  questions  to  the  class  of  mathematics,  which  he  was 
confident  even  the  professor  would  not  be  able  to  solve.  But 
young  Spalding  each  time  came  to  the  rescue  of  his  students, 
and  triumphantly  explained  every  difficulty.  Such  indeed  was 
his  reputation  that  travellers  went  out  of  their  way  to  see  the 
boy-professor. 

In  his  sixteenth  year  he  graduated  with  high  honors  at  St. 
Mary's  College.  Desiring  to  consecrate  his  life  to  God,  he  en- 
tered St.  Joseph's  Seminary,  at  Bardstown,  where  he  spent  four 
years  in  the  study  of  theology,  and  in  teaching  in  the  college. 


*  From  the  *'  Life  of  Archbishop  Spalding,"  by  Rev.  J.  L.  Spalding,  8.T.L. ; 
"  Appleton's  American  Cyclopaedia  for  187G,"  "  Appleton's  American  Annual 
Cyclopaedia  for  1873."  etc.,  etc. 
(323) 


Its  History  from  4850  Z^;  1876.  329 


One  of  his  instructors  in  this  institution  was  Rev.  Dr.  Konriclt, 
afterwards  Arclibisliop  of  Baltimoro,  The  extraordinary  talents 
of  yount?  Spalding,  determined  Bishop  Flapet  to  send  him  to 
the  Propaganda  to  complete  his  studies.  In  the  spring  of  1830, 
wliou  twenty  years  of  age,  he  sailed  for  Home.  "  He  had  all  the 
ontluislastic  love  of  country  which  belonged  to  the  Americans 
of  that  day,  when  the  purity  of  Republican  manners  had  not 
boen  corrupted  by  the  evil  influences  of  wealth  and  luxury.  To 
bo  an  American  citizen  was,  in  his  mind,  the  highest  honor 
utter  that  of  being  a  Roman  Catholic." 

Entering  the  celebrated  Urban  College  of  the  Propaganda,  he 
spout  four  years  of  close  and  successful  study.  Here  he  ter- 
iiiiiiatod  his  course  in  July,  1834,  by  a  public  defence,  covering 
the  whole  ground  of  theology  and  canon  law,  and  embracing 
two  hundred  and  flfty-six  propositions  which  he  maintained  in 
Latin  against  all  opponents  for  seven  hours.  He  was  made 
Doctor  of  Divinity  by  acclamation.  "  The  CardinaUi  rose," 
writes  Bishop  England,  who  was  in  Rome  at  the  time,  "and 
fihook  hands  with  the  Kentuckian,  who  was  carried  away  by  his 
fellow  students  in  triumph."*  Dr.  Spalding  was  ordained  by 
Cardinal  Pediana,  celebrated  his  first  Mass  in  the  crypt  of  St. 
Fetor,  over  the  tomb  of  the  Apostles,  and  immediately  returned 
to  the  United  States. 

He  was  appointed  pastor  of  St.  Joseph's  church,  Bardstown, 
and  afterwards  President  of  St.  Joseph's  College,  In  1843,  he 
was  called  to  the  cathedral  at  Louisville,  where  for  five  years 
he  toiled  with  the  zeal  of  an  apostle.  At  this  time  ho  was  cue 
of  the  editors  of  r/<e  U.8.  Catholic  Magazine.  His  discourses  were 
the  admiration  of  those  who  heard  them.  He  was  one  of  the  most 
successful  and  laborious  missionaries  in  Kentucky.  In  1848,  he 
was  elevated  to  the  episcopal  office,  and  was  consecrated  Bishop 
of  Lengone,  in  partibus,  and  coadjutor  to  the  saintly  Bishop 
Flaget,  of  Louisville.  In  this  high  and  arduous  office  he  re- 
doubled his  labors.  He  established  a  colony  of  Trappists  at 
Gethsemani,  near  Bardi;;;own.  On  the  death  of  Dr.  Flaget,  he 
became  Bishop  of  Louisville,  and  built  a  magnificent  cathedral. 
In  1852,  Dr.  Spalding  was  present  at  the  first  Plenary  Council  of 
Baltimore,  and  strongly  urged  the  establishment  of  a  system  of 
parochial  schools  in  evei-y  diocese.  He  went  to  Europe  in  the 
fall  of  the  same  year,  and  obtained  the  Xaverian  Brothers  for 
liis  schools.      In  the   three  Provincial  Councils  of  Cincinnati, 


-' 


'-  i' 


|i:^-    I 


W-*  ^ 


I:;  i 


H 


r.  1 


^  "  Works  of  Bishop  England,"  Vol.  IV. 


S30  CatJiolicity  ifl  the  United  States. 

1855,  1858,  and  18G1,  Dr.  Spalding  bore  a  londiiij,'  part.  As  a  dis- 
tinguished roviowor,  autlior,  controversialist,  and  champion  of 
the  Faith,  he  acquired  groat  reputation.  To  his  priests  lie  was 
exceedingly  kind — a  father.  In  his  own  diocesn,  ho  introrlucod 
a  system  of  church  government,  intended  to  secure  the  rights 
of  the  inferior  clergy  and  to  preserve  them  from  arbitrary  rule. 

On  the  death  of  ArchbLshon  Kenrick,  of  Baltimore,  Dr.  Spald- 
ing was  chosen  his  successor,  and  in  June,  18(54,  was  installod 
as  seventh  Archbishop  of  Baltimore,  in  the  presence  of  forty 
thousand  spectators.  In  this  now  and  exalted  offlco  ho  labored 
arduously.  He  never  spared  himself.  He  gave  all  ho  had  to 
his  church,  his  schools,  and  his  charitable  institutions.  Ono 
of  his  first  cares  was  to  found  an  industrial  school  for  boys.  It 
was  intrusted  to  the  care  of  the  Xaverian  Brothers,  and  opened 
in  18G6.  In  the  same  year,  as  Apostolic  Delegate,  Dr.  Spalding 
convened  the  second  Plenary  Council  of  Baltimore.  He  had  tho 
principal  part  in  i)reparing  the  measures  submitted  to  that 
august  body,  and  in  drawing  up  the  Acts  of  the  Council  so  as  to 
render  the  work  a  standard  manual  of  American  canon  law.* 

Dr.  Spalding  attended  the  Ecumenical  Council  of  the  Vatican 
at  Rome,  where  he  was  distinguished  by  his  labors  and  his  zeal. 
On  his  return  he  was  hailed  with  acclamation  by  his  people,  and 
received  public  honors  both  at  Baltimore  and  Washington.  His 
last  years  were  as  active  and  laborious  as  those  of  his  early 
priesthood,  ^'or  his  flock  he  truly  spent  himself.  After  a  long 
and  painful  illness  he  went  to  receive  the  reward  of  a  virtuous 
life,  on  April  21st,  1872. 

If  the  United  States  ever  produced  a  man  who  was  great  and 
good,  learned  and  amiable,  that  man  was  Archbishop  Spaklin/?, 
In  his  character,  ho  united  the  simplicity  of  the  child  with  all 
the  vigor  of  manhood.  His  affection  for  his  people,  his  lovo  of 
children,  his  devotion  to  his  faith,  to  his  duties,  and  to  his 
country,  endeared  him  to  all.  His  holy  and  beautiful  momorv 
is  one  of  those  bright  lights  which  illumines  the  h'stoiv  of  jo 
Catholic  Church  in  America. 


*  "  CmciUi  Plenarii  Baltimoreims  //,  Ada  et  Becrctay    Baltini         r368. 


I M  in  I  iiisjii 


RIGHT  REV.  MICHAEL  O'CONNOR,  D.D.,  S.J.* 


"  When  ho  went  up  to  the  Iloly  Altar,  ho  honored  the  vesture  of  hollncBB."— Ecclm. 

Michael  O'Connor  was  born  at  Cork,  Ireland,  in  1810.  Ho  re- 
ceived his  early  education  at  Quoenstown.  At  the  ago  of  four- 
teen, ho  was  sent  by  the  Bishop  of  Cloyno  to  the  Propaganda, 
whore  ho  coraploted  his  classical  studies  and  made  a  full  course 
of  philosophy  and  theology. 

Hy  a  brilliant  public  defence  of  a  number  of  propositions  in 
July,  1833,  he  won  the  doctor's  cap  and  ring.  It  is  an  interesting 
fact  that  all  his  fellow-students  of  the  same  year  became  Bishops, 
inchiding  Cardinal  Cullen,  Mgr.  Hassoun,  the  Arnienian  Patri- 
arch, and  the  late  Archbishop  Spalding,  of  Baltimore.  Dr. 
O'Connor  spent  ten  years  at  Rome,  and  in  1834,  returned  to  Ire- 
land, and  was  appointed  chaplain  of  the  Presentation  Convent  at 
.Doneraile. 

Four  years  later,  lie  landed  in  the  United  States,  having  ac- 
cepted from  Dr.  Kenrick,  then  Bishop  of  Philadelphia,  the  presif 
doncy  of  the  Seminary  of  St.  Charles  Borromeo.  When  the 
now  .'*ee  of  Pittsburg  was  erected,  he  had  reason  to  fear  that  the 
prelates  of  the  country  intended  to  nominate  him  for  Its  Bishop, 
and  he  hastened  to  carry  out  liis  long-cherished  design  of  join- 
ing the  Society  of  Jesus,  hoping  thus  to  escape  the  office. 

But  when  he  went  to  Rome,  in  1843,  and  cast  himself  at  the 
feet  of  Gregory  XVI.  as  a  novipe  of  the  Society,  and  petitioned 
to  be  reloasei,  the  Pope  prophetically  replied:  "  Fom  will  he 
Bishop  first,  and  Jesuit  afterwards.''^  He  was  consecrated  Bishop 
of  Pittsburg  by  Cardinal  Fransoni  in  the  summer  of  1843.  Dr. 
O'Connor  at  once  repaired  to  liis  new  see. 

The  famous  Prince  Gallitzin  may  be  regarded  as  the  founder 
of  the  first  cliurchf  in  tlie  diocese  of  Pittsburg.  In  the  early  years 
of  this  century,  the  city  was  a  mere  missionary  station,  to  whicli 
Father  O'Brien  paid  occasional  visits.  At  that  time,  the  few 
^'atholics  had  plenty  of  kneeling  room  in  a  small  chamber  of  an 
upper  story.  About  1807,  the  good  Irish  priest  made  Pittsburg 
his  residence,  and  a  small  church  was  soon  erected. 

*  Cliicfly  from  De  Courcy  and  Shca'.s  "  Catholic  Church  In  the  United 
Slates  "  ;  " '  iholic  Family  Almanitc"  ;  "  The  Catholic  Record  "  ;  "  The  Met- 
ropolitun,"  tic. 

t"In  the  year  1798,"  writes  De  Courcy,  "the  Rev.  Theodore  Brauers,  a 
Dutch  Franciscan,  settled  at  Young&town,  where  he  bought  a  farm  and  built 
a  chapul."    Oullitzin's  chapel  dated  from  1799. 

(331) 


■| 


n 


\^\ 


I     'I 


f 


■'  f     I 


I 


I 

I 


I 


332  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

Wlion  Bisliop  O'Connor  came  to  Pittsburg  ho  had  ahiiost 
every thhi;^  to  create.  Ho  was  the  founder  of  the  diocese.  At  his 
invitation  tlio  Benedictines,  Passionists,  Franciscan  Brotlicr.s, 
and  Sisters  of  Mercy  sent  colonics  from  Europe,  and  settled 
witliin  his  jurisdiction.  Otlier  orders  found  in  him  a  kind  fr'ond 
nnd  father.  His  clergy  rai)idly  increased,  and  churches  inulti- 
I^llod  in  nuinl)er.  When  the  diocese  of  Erie  was  erected  in  1853, 
Dr.  O'Connor  was,  at  his  own  request,  appointed  its  first  Bishop; 
but  liis  flo(!k  of  Pittsburg  diocese  and  his  Episcopal  colleagues 
would  not  hear  of  this  change,  and  he  was  obliged  to  return  to 
Pittsburg.  In  1855,  his  beautiful  cathedral  was  dedicated.  In- 
deed, many  of  the  splendid  churches,  charities,  and  institutions 
of  western  Pennsylvania  arc  his  works — the  monuments  of  a 
zeal  which  was  truly  heroic. 

His  unceasing  activity  and  i:)rodigious  labors  impaired  his 
health,  and  he  was  compelled,  with  the  permission  of  the  Holy 
Fatli.r,  to  lay  down  the  office  and  responsibility  of  the  episco- 
pai.u.  In  1860.  Bishop  O'Connor  accomplished  the  great  desire 
of  his  life.  He  entered  the  Society  of  Jesus.  The  learned  prol- 
ate began  tho  humble  life  of  a  novice. 

"A  pleasant  anecdote,"  writes  Father  Finotti,  "  is  related  of 
the  Rt.  Rev.  candidate,  whilst  going  through  his  noviceship  in 
Inspruck.  Of  course  ho  had  laid  aside  all  the  insignia  of  the 
episcopate — no  ring — ,10  pectoral  cross— no  distinctive  episcopal 
ceremonies  at  Mass.  His  former  dignity  was  never  alluded  to. 
With  the  exception  of  the  superiors,  no  one  knew  they  had  a 
monseigneur  in  their  humble  ranks.  But  unluckily  one  day  he 
was  the  victim  of  that  absent-mindedness  by  which  all  great  men 
are  jo  often  placed  in  ludicrous  plights.  It  so  happened  that  ns 
he  turned  around  after  the  Gloria,  to  ..ay  Dominus  vobiseiim,  as 
the  rubric  prescribes  for  the  clergy  of  the  minor  order,  hark  : 
thf^  bishop-novice  gives  out  in  his  deep-toned  voice  Pax.  Vohis  I 
It  fell  like  a  boieb-shell  among  those  innocent  souls,  /itthe  rec- 
reation hour  his  se!isati(  'i  was  like  one  who  had  poked  into  a 
bee-hive  ;  he  was  assailec.,  cornered,  vanquished.  I  once  asi^ed 
him  if  he  could  deny  the  occurrence  of  his  mishap,  but  lie 
couldn't  ;  he  only  stid  :  '  Se  non  ^  vera  e  hen  tropato.'"'* 

''"'he  remaining  years  of  this  great  f.:id  saintly  man  were  spent 
among  the  Jesuit  Fath'M-s,  whom  he  edified  by  the  holiness  of  his 
life,  both  at  J^altimore  and  Woodstock.  He  exjured  at  Wood- 
stock College,  October  18th,  1872.  As  one  of  the  illustrious 
Bi.shcps  of  the  Americin  Cliurch,  his  name  will  ever  bo  held  iu 
veneration. 

*  2V.<;  CiUhuUclirronl  .Ti;iio,  1875. 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  TIMON,  D.D.,  CM. 

"  One  that  feared  God."— Job. 

One  of  the  good  and  great  prelates  of  the  American  Church 
was  Dr.  Timon.  The  field  of  his  toils  and  incessant  zeal  ox- 
tended  from  tho  Gulf  of  Mexico  to  the  Great  Lakes.  For  nearly 
half  a  century  he  devoted  his  life,  his  talents,  and  his  manly 
energy  to  the  grand  work  of  saving  souls  and  building  up  Cath- 
olicity in  the  United  States. 

John  Timon  was  born  in  1797,  at  Conewago,*  Adams  County, 
Pennsylvania. t  A  short  time  before  his  birth,  his  excellent 
Catholic  parents  had  emigrated  from  the  north  of  Ireland.  His 
fatlier  was  a  high-toned,  patriotic  Irish  gentleman,  who  loved 
his  native  Isle  too  well  to  be  permitted  to  live  in  it  by  its  tyran- 
nical rulers.  In  1802,  ISIr.  Timon  removed  to  Baltimore,  and 
engaged  in  business.  As  time  passed  on,  John  became  an  ac- 
coniplishod  clerk  in  his  father's  store.  In  1818,  Mr.  Timon  and 
his  family  removed  to  Louisville, Kentucky,and  subsequently  to 
8t.  Louis,  Missouri.  Tho  fearful  financial  crisis  of  1823  shattered 
his  fortunes. 

John  Timon  was  now  in  his  twenty-sixth  year,  a  promising 
young  man  of  rare  tact,  ability,  and  acknowledged  talent  for 
business.  The  fleeting  fortunes  of  this  world,  however,  began 
to  grow  loss  dazzling  in  his  eyes.  For  him  the  tinsel  and  glitter 
of  mor'?  earthly  success  had  lost  its  brightness.  At  this  period 
another  affecting  incident  I  also  strengthened  his  resolution  to 
abandon  tlie  world — to  give  himself  entirely  to  God. 

He  determined  to  become  a  priest,  and  for  this  purpose,  en- 
tered the  jjreparatory  Seminary  of  St.  Mary  at  the  Barrens, 
Jlissouri.  This  institution,  then  in  its  infancy,  was  conducted 
by  the  Priests  of  the  Congregation  of  the  Mission.  Hero,  in  the 
spring  of  1823,  he  began  his  studies.  After  a  successful  and 
ev(  n  brilliant  course  of  two  years,  he  was  elevated  to  the  priest- 
hood. To  complete  his  sacrifice,  he  became  a  member  of  tho 
Congregation  of  the  Mission. 

*  His  biographer,  Mr.  Deuther,  incoireetly  writes  it,  Conewago. 

'  riie  little  lug-house  in  which  tlie  Bisliop  was  born  eould  be  seen  until  a 
ft'w  yo.u-ri  iigo,  wiicn  it  was  torn  down.  Some  time  before  his  death,  he  went 
to  visit  this  t*pot,  so  endeared  to  him. 

t  The  doHtli  of  Mademoiselle  Louise  De  Gallon,  a  gifted  and  virtuous  young 
lady  to  whom  he  had  been  .iflianccd. 


I    4p. 


/.I 


¥■'■■  \ 


,^:.m:i!- 


334  Cat  Jioli city  in  I  he  United  States. 


Father  Timon,  in  company  with  Rev.  Mr.  Odin,  afterwards 
Archbishop  of  Now  Orleans,  began  his  missionary  career.  Mis- 
souri, Illinois,  Indiana,  Arlcansas,  Kentucky,  Mississippi,  Lou- 
isiana, and  Texas  were  successively  the  scenes  of  his  apostolic 
zeal.  He  faced  obstacles  as  if  they  were  shadows.  Indiffer- 
ence fled  before  '  Is  gaze.  He  was  equal  to  all  occasions.  He 
feared  no  dangers.  In  the  words  of  his  bio,^rapher:  "Before 
his  eloquence  evaporated  the  prejudices  against  Catholics; 
before  his  logic  and  theology  fell  the  united  strength  and  rea- 
soning of  antt -Catholic  bigots;  numbers  enrolled  themselves 
under  the  banner  of  the  Cross,  converted  by  his  winning  man- 
ner, and  edified  by  his  holy  piety.  His  name  soon  became  a 
bulwark  to  the  cause  of  Catholicity,  and  a  household  word  in 
every  dwelling  and  log-cabin  for  hundreds  of  miles  around  tho 
Barrens.  Messengers  frequently  came  from  long  distances  to 
solicit  his  aid.  Sometimes  it  was  to  visit  the  bedside  of  a  poor 
dying  Catholic;  sometimes  it  was  in  response  to  the  wishes  of  a 
departing  Protestant,  who  during  life  had  been  favorably  dis- 
posed to  religion,  but  deferred  accepting  it  until  the  last  hour, 
and  often  it  was  to  hasten  to  con3ole  an  unhappy  victim  sen- 
tenced by  the  rigor  of  the  law  to  be  hanged  on  the  gallows." 

On  one  occasion.  Father  Timon  preached  at  New  Madrid,  on 
the  banks  of  the  Mississippi.  On  finishing,  he  baptized  sev- 
eral persons,  and,  mounting  his  horse,  hastened  to  the  next  sta- 
tion. Scarcely  had  he  left  the  crowd  wiien  an  old  man,  al^o 
on  horseback,  rode  after  him.  "Ah!"  exclaimed  the  aged 
traveller,  who  proved  to  be  an  Irishman,  "but  my  heart 
warmed  to  you  as  you  spoke,  for  I  too  am  a  Catholic.  But  you 
are  the  first  priest  I  have  seen  for  forty  years.  Often  theso 
'  swaddlers '  tried  to  get  me  to  change  my  religion,  tolling  luo 
that  I  could  never  expect  to  see  a  Catholic  priest  here,  and 
that  it  would  be  better  for  me  to  have  some  religion  than  nono 
at  all.  At  times  I  almost  believed  them;  but  whenever  I 
thought  of  joining  them,  upon  my  word,  it  seemed  as  if  mi/ 
confirmation  was  about  rising  in  mi/  throat  to  cJioJie  me.  And  T 
cnuldnH  do  it. " 

As  tliey  rode  along  through  th(!  woods,  the  poor  son  of  Erin 
nmde  his  confession,  i-eceived  absolution,  and  had  the  priest  to 
come  to  his  forest  homo.  The  family  wore  instructed  and  bap- 
tized. And  as  the  morning  dawned,  the  man  of  (iod  departed 
amid  the  tears  and  blessings  of  this  humble  household. 

In  1835,  Rev.  Mr.  Timon  was  appointed  Visitor,  or  Provincial, 
of  the  Congregation  of  the  Mission  in  tho  United  States.  With 
much  reluctance  he  accepted  the  post.     The  community  was 


Its  History  from   iS^o  to  1876. 


n  t  t 


deeply  in  debt — surrounded  by  difficulties,  financial  and  other- 
wi.-'o  But  by  the  zeal,  piety,  and  administrative  ability  of  the 
new  Visitor,  its  affairs  were  soon  placed  on  a  firm  footing. 
Father  Timon's  rule  inaugurated  an  era  of  prosperity  that  has 
continued  and  increased  down  to  the  present  time. 

Ho  was  appointed  by  the  Holy  See,  in  1838,  to  examine  into 
the  condition  of  religion  in  Texas,*  then  independent,  and  to 
report  to  Rome.  In  the  following  year  he  was  named  Coadjutor 
Bishop  of  St.  Louis,  which  dignity  he  firmly  refused.  He,  liow- 
ever,  recommended,  as  one  eminently  worthy,  Rev.  Peter  R. 
Kenrick,  now  the  venerable  Archbishop  of  that  city.  In  1840, 
Visitor  Timon  was  appointed  Prefect  Apostolic  of  Texas,  with 
the  power  to  administer  confirmation.  This  difficult  position 
he  accepted,  and  became  the  second  apostle  of  tlie  land  where 
La  Salle  died,  and  where  De  Olmos  preaclied  the  Faith  just  three 
hundred  years  before.  The  Prefect  Apostolic  found  but  two 
priests  in  the  State — men  leading  scandalous  lives.  He  revived 
the  Faith.  God  blessed  his  labors.  Prom  that  tiiue  to  the  pres- 
ent day,  Catholicity  has  rapidly  grown  in  Texas. t 

In  September,  1847,  lie  was  handed  the  documents  fi*om  Rome 
Avhich  appointed  him  Bishop  of  the  new  see  of  Buffalo,  New 
York.  A  volume  would  scarcely  suffice  to  recount  his  labors  in 
the  diocese  of  Buflalo.  The  Bishop  began  his  administration 
like  a  veteran  missionary.  He  travelled  from  town  to  town, 
preaching,  instructing,  liearing  confession,  and  giving  confirma- 
tion. During  his  first  visitation  he  confirmed  nearly  5,000  per- 
sons, one-half  of  whom  were  adults.  In  the  cause  of  charity 
and  Catholic  education  ho  was  untiring  in  his  efforts.  Hospi- 
tals, schools,  and  colleges  soon  began  to  rise.  The  religious 
orders  of  men  and  women  whom  he  introduced  into  his  diocese 
found  in  him  both  a  father  and  a  f  it  nd. 

Many  new  projects,  especially  the  erection  of  his  cathedral, 

*  Texas  was  an  independent  couutr}'  from  183.")  till  1845,  when  it  was  admit- 
ted into  tlie  Union. 

t  Father  Timon  was  a  fearless  traveller.  Referring  to  his  mission  through 
Texas  with  his  collea!);ue,  Father  Odin,  his  biographer,  says:  "They  were 
constantly  obliged  to  cross  rivers,  or  creeks  tliat  the  rainy  season  had 
swollen  into  torrents,  by  the  aid  of  little  canoes,  at  the  same  time  swimming 
their lior.-es  alongside  ;  or  they  sought  for  some  logs  or  branches  of  trees  that 
intertwined  from  both  sides  of  the  river,  thus  adniittnig  of  a  passage  from 
hank  to  bank  across  tlie  stream,  over  which  Father  Odin,  who  could  not 
swim,  would  pass  ;  whilst  Visitor  Timon  invariably  swam  the  river  with  the 
horses,  however  dangerous  the  ford  or  pa-s." — Deuther's  "Life  and  Times 
of  Bishop  Timon." 

This  rem  iidr>  \u  of  the  unwearied  La  Salic  in  hi'i  unfortunate  journeys 
over  the  same  country— two  centuries  ago. 


5    'SK'Sr 


\v 


is 


i  ,'> 


33^ 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


obliged  the  Bishop  to  visit  Mexico,  South  America,  Spain,  and 
other  nations,  in  search  of  pecuniary  aid.  He  was  everywhere 
received  with  great  respect,  and  was  happily  very  successful. 
In  spite  of  difficulties  which  would  have  discouraged  one  le,s8 
brnve  and  devoted  than  Dr.  Timon,  the  elegant  cathedral  of 
St.  Joseph  was  completed,  and  dedicated  in  1855.  The  Bishop 
was  present  in  Rome  at  the  definition  of  th^  dogma  of  the 
Immaculate  Conception. 

The  obstinacy  and  schismatical  spirit  of  the  Trustees  of  St. 
Louis  church,  Buffalo,  greatly  added  to  the  difficulties  and  bur- 
dens of  his  episcopate.  He  was  obliged  to  excommunicate  the 
misguided  men,  and  even  to  place  the  church  under  an  inter- 
dict. However,  this  painful  affair  was  finally  settled  through 
the  mediation  of  the  famous  missionary,  Rev.  F.  X.  Weninger, 
S.J. 

When  the  clouds  of  civil  war  began  to  dai'ken  the  Amorir-an 
sky,  there  was  no  firmer  friend  of  the  Union  than  l^r.  Timon. 
He  viewed  the  disruption  of  our  Republic  as  one  of  the  greatest 
disasters  that  could  happen  to  the  country.  "If  war  must  bo 
waged,"  ho  said,  "let  it  be  waged  with  vigor;  thus  alone  can 
it  be  rendered  less  bloody,  thus  alone  can  it  end  speedily  in 
peace."' 

It  was  but  fitting  that  the  great  prelate  who  had  lived  a  mar- 
tyr of  zeal  should  die  a  martyr  of  charity.  He  was  called  to  the 
bedside  of  a  Sister  of  Charity,  who  was  dying  of  erysipelas. 
While  hearing  her  confession  and  administering  the  last  sacra- 
ments, he  himself  contracted  the  disease.  As  Holy  Week,  1807, 
wore  on,  the  sick  prelate  sank  rapidly.  He  was  attended  at  his 
last  moments  by  Archbishop  Lynch  of  Toronto.  "Jesus,  Mary, 
and  Joseph  "  were  his  last  words. 

Bishop  Timon  was,  in  the  highest  sense  of  the  word,  an 
apostolic  man — simple,  humble,  charitable,  learned,  tilled  with 
the  spirit  of  God.  Wo  can  partly  judge  of  his  zeal  by  the 
progress  of  his  diocese.  AVhen  he  took  possession  of  the  see 
of  Buli'alo,  to  use  his  own  words,  "  in  the  new  diocese  there 
were  sixteen  priests  and  sixteen  churches;  though  most  of  the 
churches  might  rather  be  called  huts  or  shanties."  At  his  doatli 
lie  left  behind  him  the  noble  legacy  of  165  churches,  including,' 
the  fine  cathedral;  12G  priests;  4  colleges  and  seminaries;  3«' 
parochial  schools,  and  a  countless  number  of  charitable  insti- 
tution.-'. In  the  language  of  Fathefr  Smarius,  S.J.,  13r.  Timon 
was  a  'ble;-iSod  man,  whose  memory  shall  live  for  generations 
among  the  people  whom  his  zeal  converted,  or  whom  the  exam- 
ple of  liiri  raro  virtues  led  to  justice  and  holiness  of  life." 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  N.  NEUMANN,  D.D.,  C.SS.R.,* 
Bishop  of  Philadelphia. 

"  There  is  a  wIrc  man  that  is  wise  to  his  own  soul."— Eocles. 

John  N.  Neumann  was  born  in  Bohemia,  a  province  of  Aus- 
tria, on  Good  Friday,  March  20tli,  1811.  His  parents  were  very 
pious  and  respectable  people,  who  educated  their  children  "ac- 
cording to  the  ancient  mode,"  as  the  Bishop  afterwards  said.  As 
an  anecdote  he  also  related  that  his  mother  trained  him  to  ac- 
company her  to  the  church  from  his  tenderest  years,  and  even 
before  he  had  arrived  at  sufficient  discretion  to  be  able  to  value 
such  acts  of  piety ;  but  it  frequently  required  the  promise  of  a 
penny  to  induce  him  to  go  ! 

From  his  father  he  inherited  an  inquiring  intellect  and  an  in- 
satiable love  of  books.  In  his  seventh  year  he  commenced 
attending  school,  and  was  soon  looked  upon  as  a  sort  of  intel- 
lectual prodigy  for  his  age.  He  read  everythiiighe  could  get  his 
hands  on.  He  was  never  satisfied  with  merely  committing  his 
task  to  memory,  but  insisted  on  knowing  the  reason  of  every- 
thing— the  how  and  the  why  of  his  studies. 

"How  is  it,"  said  the  boy  one  day  to  his  surprised  teacher, 
"  thiit  the  earth  stands  in  space  without  support?"  His  in- 
quiries frequently  puzzled  and  astonished  his  mother.  But  such 
was  his  faith,  piety,  and  wisdom,  even  at  this  early  time  of  life, 
that  he  was  in  the  habit  of  referring  such  natural  phenomena  as 
he  could  not  explain  to  the  mysteries  of  God's  creation,  thus 
practically  solving  such  difficulties. 

Jolm  was  sent  to  college  in  his  twelfth  year,  and,  as  time 
passed  on,  he  gave  full  scope  to  his  love  for  natural  science,  and 
became  a  thorough  master  of  natural  history,  physics,  geology, 
and  astronomy.  He  also  became  an  able  mathematician.  In 
1831,  after  many  difficulties,  he  began  his  theological  studies,  on 
tile  completion  of  which  he  entered  the  University  of  Prague, 
wlience  he  graduated  with  high  honors. 

Desirous  of  devoting  himself  to  the  American  mission,!  he 
started  for  New  York  in  the  spring  of  1836,  He  was  warmly 
welcomed  by  Bishop  Dubois,  who  was  in  want  of  German  priests, 


*Fiom  Dr.  Clarke's  "Lives  of  the  Deceased  Bishops,"  Vol.  II. 

t  lit"  lir.st  Icaniod  of  the  missions  of  the  United  States  throu;;!)  tlie  published 
letters  of  I-'ather  BarajTn,  afterwards  Bishop  of  Marquette,  and  fiimouH  as  an 
Indian  scholar. 

2  2  (337) 


J!  "1 


X 


■  '\^> 


i  \  t? 


38  CatJioliciiy  in  the  United  States. 


\ 


and  by  whom  he  was  ordained  in  June  of  the  same  year.  He 
now  spent  four  years  of  zealous  labor  at  Williamsville  and  otlier 
New  York  missions.  In  1840,  he  entered  the  congregation  of  the 
Most  Holy  Redeemer,  and  two  years  later  made  his  vows — the 
first  profession  of  a  Rcdemptorist  in  America. 

After  his  profession,  Father  Neumann  gave  numerous  missions 
in  Maryland,  Virginia,  and  Pennsylvania.  In  1844,  ho  was  ap- 
pointed Superior  of  the  Redemptorist  Convent  at  Pittsburg. 
H  is  three  years  at  this  place  were  years  of  untiring  service  and 
most  beneficial  results.  His  labors  won  the  admiration  of  the 
good  and  gifted  Dr.  O'Connor,  then  Bishop  of  Pittsburg.  He 
was  recalled  to  Baltimore  in  1847,  and  appointed  Provincial  of 
his  Order  in  America.  Five  years  after,  he  was  consecrated 
Bishop  of  Philadelphia  by  Archbishop  Kenrick.  On  receiving 
the  documents  from  Rome,  enjoining  him  under  pain  of  dis- 
obedience to  accept  the  proffered  dignity,  he  exclaimed  :  "  Tit 
autem  Domine,  miserere  nobis  !  " 

The  storms  which  in  early  years  broke  over  the  see  of  Phila- 
delphia had  long  since  passed  away  ;  and  the  episcopate  of 
Bishop  Neumann  was  calm  and  prosperous.  His  life  was  full  of 
active  labors  and  good  works.  One  of  the  first  objects  to  which 
he  directed  his  attention  was  CathoUc  education.  When  he  took 
possession  of  his  see  in  1852,  there  were  few  parochial  schools  in 
Philadelphia;  at  the  date  of  his  death  there  were  nearly  one  hun- 
dred. Priests,  churches,  colleges,  academies,  convents,  and  vari- 
ous institutions  of  charity  increased  with  great  rapidity.  His  visits 
always  stirred  up  the  zeal  and  piety  of  the  people.  He  spent  a 
great  deal  of  time  in  the  confessional,  and  mastered  numerous 
languages  in  order  to  be  able  to  hear  the  confessions  of  poor 
emigrants.  He  even  carefully  studied  the  Irish  language  in  order 
that  he  might  hear  the  confessions  of  a  few  good  old  Irish  Cath- 
olics who  could  not  speak  English. 

After  a  short,  but  laborious  and  fruitful  career,  Bishop  Neu- 
mann died  in  1860.  It  was  said  of  him  by  one  of  his  own  priests, 
that  in  eight  years  he  had  accomplished  the  work  of  twenty. 

Dr.  Neumann  united  in  a  singular  degree  science  and  sanctity 
He  was  one  of  the  most  learned  men  in  the  United  States;  and 
certainly  he  had  few  equals  in  any  country.  He  was  master  of 
the  ancient  languages.  He  spoke  fluently  all  the  dialects  of 
Austria.  And  he  could  converse  freely  in  at  least  twelve  modern 
languages.  As  a  theologian  he  was  profound.  He  could  settle 
any  disputed  point  without  reference  to  books.  His  knowledge 
of  botany,  chemistry,  geology,   astronomy,   and  various  other 


Its  History  from   1850/^7  1876. 


339 


sciences  was  such  that  he  could  hold  a  professorship  of  each  or 
all  of  these  in  any  university.  But  the  crowning  beauty  of  his 
life  was  his  admirable  humility,  simplicity,  and  virtue.  Follow- 
ing the  example  of  the  illustrious  Saints  and  Doctors  of  the 
Church,  he  made  use  of  his  great  gifts  and  talents  ad  major  em 
J)ei  gloriam. 


W^ 

i'1.1 


f  ,' 


Mb 

t  IS.'      J 


f 


FATHER  PETER  J.  DE  SMET,  S.J.,* 
The  Apostle  of  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

"  The  light  of  God  puided  his  steps."— Eccles. 

The  greatest  Indian  missionary  of  our  age  was  Father  Peter 
John  De  Smet,  S.J.  His  name  is  famous  throughout  all  lands. 
If  it  were  possible  to  record  the  incidents  and  adventures  of  his 
wonderful  career,  a  volume  would  be  produced  the  interest  of 
which  could  be  surpassed  by  no  work  of  fiction  or  romance. 

He  was  born  at  Termonde,  Belgium,  December  31,  1801,  of  a 
pious  and  noble  family.  When  of  tlie  proper  age,  he  entered  the 
episcopal  seminary  at  Mechlin.  While  there,  he  and  a  few  others 
felt  called  to  devote  themselves  to  the  American  mission.  One 
day  there  appeared  amongst  them  a  venerable  priest,  a  fellow- 
countryman,  worn  with  the  labors  and  exposure  of  a  difficult 
mission  in  Kentucky.  It  was  the  saintly  Charles  Nerinckx.  As 
the  veteran  missionary  depicted  the  rich  field  for  labor,  the 
young  men  gathered  around  him,  and  six  offered  to  accompany 
him  to  America,  to  enter  the  Society  of  Jesus.  Of  these,  De  Smet 
was  the  youngest.  But  great  caution  was  necessary  as  the  Gov- 
ernment gave  orders  to  stop  them.  They  eluded  the  officers— 
De  Smet  very  narrowly — and  met  at  Amsterdam,  whence  they 
sailed  in  the  summer  of  1821. 

They  reached  Philadelphia  after  forty  days' voyage ;  but  young 
De  Smet  was  sadly  disappointed.  He  expected  to  see  wigwams 
— not  houses  like  those  in  Europe.  The  Indians  were  already 
the  object  of  his  zeal.  Rev.  Mr.  Nerinckx  took  his  young  candi- 
dates to  the  Jesuit  novitiate  at  Whitemarsh,  Maryland,  where 
they  at  once  assumed  the  habit.  Before  the  close  of  the  two 
years'  probation,  difficulties  in  the  diocese  made  it  necessary  to 
break  up  the  novitiate.  The  young  Belgian  novices  were  on  the 
point  of  returning  to  Europe,  when  Bishop  Dubourg  heard  of  it, 
and  gladly  bore  them  all  to  Missouri, t  and  there,  at  Florissant, 


*  Chiefly  from  "The  Western  Missions  and  Missionaries,"  "The  Catholic 
Family  Alnianae,"  and  various  Catholic  journals. 

+  At  this  early  date  (1823)  St.  Louis  was  situated  in  the  midst  of  an  almost 
pathlesH  wilderness,  and  had  a  population  not  exceeding  3,000  or  4,0C0  souls, 
I'he  means  of  travel  were  trulj'  primitive.  The  party,  of  which  young  De  Smet 
was  one,  crossed  the  Alleghany  Mountains  with  a  train  of  two  or  three  huge 
wagons,  and  on  reaching  Pittsburgh,  bouglit  a  couple  of  flat-boats.  In  which 
they  descended  the  Ohio  as  far  as  Shawneetown.  There  they  sold  their  boats 
and  took  the  usual  overland  route  to  St.  Louis. 
(340) 


Imm: 


Its  History  from  1850 /<?  1876.  341 

De  Smot  took  his  vows.  At  this  time  he  made  himself  conspicu- 
ous by  hi!^  manly  energy  in  chopping  down  trees  and  building 
loglioiises,  some  of  which  monuments  of  his  strength  and  zeal 
were  still  standing  not  many  years  ago.  It  is  related  that  ho 
could  do  more  work  in  a  day  than  any  of  his  comrades. 

In  1828,  Father  De  Smet  came  to  St.  Louis,  and  aided  in 
founding  the  University  on  Washington  avenue,  assisting  with 
his  own  hands  in  quarrying  the  stones  for  the  foundation.  Ho 
afterwards  became  professor  in  the  St.  Louis  University,  and 
won  the  love  of  all  4:he  students  by  the  unremitting  kindness  and 
patience  with  which  he  discharged  the  duties  of  his  office. 

The  Bishops  of  the  United  States  assembled  at  the  Council  of 
Baltimore,  in  1835,  confided  the  Indian  missions  of  the  United 
States  to  the  Society  of  Jesus;  and  Father  Do  Smet,  to  his  great 
joy,  was  sent,  in  1838,  to  found  a  mission  among  the  Potawata- 
luies  on  Sugar  Creek.  In  a  letter  written  in  the  summer  of  that 
year,  he  says:  "  I  visit  the  Indians  in  their  wigwams,  either  as 
missionary,  if  they  are  disposed  to  listen  to  me,  or  as  physician 
to  see  their  sick.  When  I  find  a  little  child  in  great  danger,  and 
1  perceive  that  the  parents  have  no  desire  to  hear  the  Word  of 
God,  I  spread  out  my  vials.  I  recommend  my  medicines  strongly. 
1  first  bathe  the  child  with  a  little  camphor  ;  then  taking  some 
baptismal  water,  I  baptize  it  without  their  suspecting  it — and 
tlius  I  have  opened  the  gate  of  Heaven  to  a  great  number,  not- 
withstanding the  wiles  of  hell  to  hinder  them  from  entering."* 

Two  years  after,  a  still  wider  field  was  opened.  The  Flatheads 
of  the  Rocky  Mountains  gaining  a  knowledge  of  the  Faith  from 
some  Catholic  Iroquois  who  had  wandered  to  their  land,  sent 
tliroe  successive  embassies  to  the  Bishop  of  St.  Louis  to  beg  for 
a  blackgown.  The  Bishop  referred  them  to  tlie  Superior  of  the 
Jesuits  at  the  University.  At  this  unexpected  visit  the  Superior 
felt  embarrassed ;  but  Father  De  Smet,  full  of  zeal  for  the  glory 
of  God,  begged  to  be  permitted  to  labor  for  the  salvation  of  these 
poor  creatures.  When  the  expenses  were  mentioned  as  some- 
what of  an  obstacle,  the  great-hearted  De  Smet  destroyed  the  ob- 
jection by  saying :  "I  will  get  means  from  my  home — my  friends ; 
but  let  me  go  to  the  rescue  of  these  poor  Indians,  and  assuredly 
sufficient  means  will  soon  come  from  Europe." 

In  1840,  with  one  or  two  companions,  he  started  on  his  sub- 
lime mi!<>ion.  They  travelled  thousands  of  miles,  and  finally 
planted  the  standard  of  the  cross  in  Bitter  Root  Valley,   Rocky 


!.    1 


■51 


11  ffll 


1  \ 


f 


r.  %  J 


'a%^ 


;t  '.:  >■ 


^  "  Wp?t,ern  MlR.^ioiiP  and  Mir-sionarier,.' 


342  Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 

MountainH.  Father  De  Smet's  mission  began  the  day  of  his 
arrival,  and  never  was  there  a  more  willing  people.  Hero  he 
built  a  temple  to  the  glory  of  the  Most  High.  It  was  dedicated 
to  our  Blessed  Mother,  and  the  valley  has  since  been  called  St. 
Mary's  Valley.  The  Flatheads  are  rftill  a  fine  nation.  The  men 
are  true  braves — the  most  celebrated  warriors  in  the  Rocky 
Mountains.  After  laying  the  foundation  of  this  mission,  he  re- 
turned, visiting  several  other  tribes,  and  began  to  establish  that 
ascendancy  among  them  which,  as  the  great  Blackgown,  he  re- 
tained throughout  his  long  and  glorious  life. 

To  form  some  idea  of  Father  De  Smet's  countless  difflcultiea, 
it  is  only  necessary  to  say  that  they  wore  similar  to  those  of  the 
early  Indian  missionaries.  There  were  superstitions  to  eradicate, 
medicine-men  to  encounter,  barbarous  languages  to  master, 
thousands  of  miles  to  travel,  unheard-of  fatigues  to  undergo, 
and  dangers  from  wild  beasts,  and  from  savages  scarcely  less 
wild.  To  leam  the  many  barbarous  dialects  was  alone  a  mighty 
task  that  nothing  but  the  most  herculean  energy  and  uncom- 
mon talent  could  accomplish.  On  this  subject  nothing  could  be 
gathered  from  books.  The  rude  languages  were  unwritten. 
There  were  few  or  no  interpreters.  The  numerous  dialects  were 
found  to  have  little  analogy  either  among  themselves,  or  with 
any  known  tongue.  The  pronunciation  was  exceedingly  harsh, 
the  turn  of  thought  different  from  that  of  any  civilized  people. 
Yet  from  these  crude  elements  it  was  necessary  to  create  a  religi- 
ous, and  even  a  spiritual  phraseology.  What  was  said  of  the 
primitive  Indians  may  with  equal  truth  be  said  of  the  Indians 
evangelized  by  Father  De  Smet.  They  knew  nothing  except  the 
names  of  the  material  objects  with  which  they  daily  came  in  con- 
tact. 

But  obstacles  only  spurred  on  the  noble  De  Sniet.  On  his 
way  back  to  St.  Louis,  the  fierce  Blackfeet  treated  him  with 
singular  honor.  On  again  reaching  that  city,  in  council  with  his 
superiors,  he  planned  a  system  of  missions,  and  devoted  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life  to  carrying  it  out.  To  effect  this  grand  object, 
he  was  in  continual  movement.  One  year  he  would  set  out  for 
the  Rocky  Mountains,  visit  new  tribes,  prepare  the  way  for  a 
mission ;  and  when  the  Jesuit  Fathers  began  permanent  labors, 
he  would  pass  to  others  already  established.  Then  he  would 
plod  his  way  back  to  St.  Louis,  over  pathless  wilds,  rocks,  and 
rushing  rivers,  and  often  through  tribes  of  hostile  savages  with 
brandished  tomahawks,  whom  he  would  disarm  by  words  of 
gentleness.     At  St.  Louis  there  would  be  little  rest.      Resourcesi 


Its  History  from  1850  to  1876. 


343 


were  needed  for  the  missions.  But  unfortunately,  the  Catliolica 
of  the  United  States  have  shown  little  interest  in  the  Indian  mis- 
sions, and  done  little  to  cheer  and  support  the  devoted  priests 
laboring  on  them.  To  Europe,  and  especially  to  his  native  Bel- 
gium, Father  De  Smet  looked  for  the  necessary  moans.  Ho  even 
visited  Ireland,  where  his  fame  had  preceded  him,  and  took  part 
in  one  of  the  Repeal  meetings,  riding  in  the  same  carriage  with 
Daniel  O'Connell  and  Bishop  Hughes.  By  his  own  personal  ex- 
ertions he  raised  thousands  of  dollars  to  carry  on  his  great  work. 
In  1853,  his  united  journeys  represented  an  extent  of  land  and 
water  surpassing  live  times  the  circumference  of  the  globe  ! 

Did  space  permit,  how  many  pleasing  incidents  might  be  re- 
lated !  His  beautiful  letters  are  full  of  them.  At  one  time  it  is 
a  vivid  description  of  a  mosquito  attack  against  the  combined 
force  of  branches,  handkerchiefs,  and  smoke  of  his  party.  On 
another,  it  is  the  roaring  of  bears  and  wild  beasts  at  the  sight  of 
the  camp-fires  at  night.  Then  it  is  a  learned  disquisition  on  the 
geological  peculiarities  of  a  country — on  its  flowers,  birds,  or 
minerals.  Or  still  again,  it  is  some  Indian  scenes  of  horror, 
novelty,  or  edification.  On  one  occasion  he  was  giving  instruc- 
tion on  tlie  ten  commandments  in  the  camp  of  a  Sioux  tribe. 
"When  I  arrived,"  he  writes,  "at  the  sixth  and  seventh  com- 
mandments, a  general  whispering  and  embarrassed  laugh  took 
place  among  my  barbarous  auditory.  I  inquired  the  reason  of 
this  conduct,  and  explained  to  them  that  the  law  I  came  to  an- 
nounce was  not  mine,  but  God's,  and  that  it  was  obligatory  on 
all  the  children  of  men.  *  *  *  The  great  chief  at  once  arose 
and  replied :  *  Father,  we  hear  thee.  We  know  not  the  words  of 
the  Great  Spirit,  and  we  acknowledge  our  ignorance.  We  aro 
great  liars  and  thieves ;  we  have  killed ;  we  have  done  evil  that 
the  Great  Spirit  forbids  us  to  do.  But  we  did  not  know  those 
beautiful  words.  In  future,  we  will  try  to  live  better,  if  thou 
wilt  but  stay  with  us  and  teach  us.' " 

The  Government  of  the  United  States,  which  in  its  Indian 
policy  has  never  favored  Catholic  missions,  recognized  the  great 
ability  and  influence  of  Father  De  Smet,  and  often  called  for  his 
aid,  conscious  that,  where  Indian  agents  had  only  made  matters 
worse,  the  illustrious  blackgown  could  restore  peace  and  inspire 
confidence.  Thus  he  was  called  to  put  an  end  to  the  Sioux  war, 
and  in  Oregon  to  bring  the  Yakamas  and  other  tribes  to  cease 
hostilities.  He  was  also  chaplain  in  the  expedition  to  Utah,  and 
opened  a  new  field  of  missions  among  the  tribes  in  that  section. 

During  his  last  voyage  to  Europe,  Father  De  Smet  met  with 


','  ^1 


:y#^ 


f  ''■< 


\  A 


;r'r 


,5  ^    , 


r^K 


\^ 


%  I 


I' 


:    •( 


344  Catholicity  in  the   United  States, 

a  severe  accident,  in  which  several  of  his  ribs  were  broken. 
While  in  his  native  country  on  this  occasion  he  was  made  Knight 
of  tlie  Order  of  Leopold — an  honor  whicli  few  attain,  and  ono 
wliicli  he  held  in  common  with  Marslial  MacMahon.  However, 
his  once  powerful  frame  slowly  wasted  away,  p,nd  the  great  Jesuit 
calmly  expired  among  his  brethren  at  St.  Louis,  in  May,  187'i. 
His  honored  remains  were  borne  to  Florissant,  and  there,  where 
he  first  began  his  religious  career  in  Missouri,  rests  all  that  is 
earthly  of  Father  Peter  John  De  Smet. 

Father  De  Smet  was  the  Brobeuf  of  the  nineteenth  century. 
Most  of  the  actual  missions  would  have  been  nearly  impossible 
were  it  not  for  his  burning  zeal,  gi*eat  prudence,  and  wonderful 
energy.  Boldly  penetrating  the  unknown  solitudes  of  the  West, 
he  conquered  the  almost  insurmountable  obstacles  that  beset 
him  at  every  step.  With  undaunted  heart  he  faced  hostile  and 
savage  tribes,  whose  very  language  was  a  mystery  to  the  civilized 
world.  He  mastered  these  strange  dialects,  converted,  baptized, 
and  civilized  barbarous  tribes;  and  his  tireless  apostolate  was 
pursued  by  him  almost  to  the  very  day  of  his  death.  He  was 
the  means  of  opening  Heaven  to  over  100,000  Indians.  Nor  was 
he  simply  a  great  missionary.  As  an  author  and  scientist,  he 
also  holds  a  high  rank.  While  the  world  admires  his  sublime 
life,  the  children  of  the  forest  pronounce  the  name  of  the  great 
Blackgown  with  love  and  reverence. 


1  century, 
mpossible 
wonderful 
the  West, 
that  beset 
lostile  and 
he  civilized 
1,  baptized, 
stolate  was 
h.    He  was 
8.    Nor  was 
dentist,  he 
his  sublime 
of  the  great 


ROGER  BROOKE  TANEY,   LL.D.,* 

Chief-Justice  of  the.  United  /States. 

"This  great  and  good  man."— Vkn.  John  McElhoy,  8.J. 

Ropor  Brooke  Taney  was  born  in  Calvert  county,  Maiyland, 
on  March  17th,  1777.  His  parents  were  good  Catholics,  nnd 
natives  of  the  same  State.  His  father,  Michael  Taney,  was  a 
largo  landed  proprietor,  a  descendant  of  one  of  tlie  first  Mary 
land  settlers.  His  mother,  Monica  Brooke,  appears  to  have  been 
a  most  amiable  lady,  for  whom  he  ever  entertained  a  feeling  of 
iiiinKlod  love  and  reverence.  "  I  never  in  my  life."  he  wrote, 
"  hoard  her  say  a!i  angry  or  unkind  word  to  any  of  her  children, 
or  sorvants,  or  speak  ill  of  any  one." 

hi  his  eighth  year  Roger  was  sent  to  a  school  three  miles  dis- 
tant, "  kept  in  a  log-cabin  by  a  well-disposed,  but  ignorant  old 
man  wlio  professed  to  teach  reading,  writing,  and  arithmetic  as 
fur  as  the  rule  of  throe."  For  some  time  he  studied  classics  at 
home  under  a  private  tutor,  and  in  his  fifteenth  year,  was  sent 
to  Dickinson  College,  where,  in  179?  ho  graduated  Bachelor  of 
Arts.  The  following  year,  he  began  to  read  law  in  Annapolis. 
Aftor  three  years  of  earnest  and  succes-sful  study,  Mr.  Taney  was 
admitted  to  the  Maryland  bar.  In  1801,  he  removed  to  Freder- 
ick. Home  time  after,  he  married  Miss  Key,  sister  of  Francis  S. 
Koy,  author  of  the  "  Star-Spanglod  Banner."  Ho  was  elected  to 
the  State  Senate  in  1816.  Six  years  later  ho  removed  to  Balti- 
more, whore  he  resided  during  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

Mr.  Taney's  skill  in  conducting  a  case  before  a  court  and  jury 
was  unsurpassed.  As  he  progressed,  every  absurdity  vanif#ied 
—he  led  the  jury  captive.  On  one  occasion  he  was  defending  a 
person  charged  with  assault,  who,  though  first  assailed,  had  so 
used  his  privilege  of  self-defence  as  to  make  himself  the  aggres- 
f^or  by  the  heavy  blows  he  had  dealt.  "  Grontlemen  of  the  jury," 
began  Mr.  Taney,  "  if  a  man  have  a  head  like  a  post,  yo;'.  must 
hammer  him  like  a  post."  His  discourse  was  brief  ;  but  his  client 
went  home  a  happy  and  acquitted  man. 

His  great  ability,  high  character,  and  benevolent  life  soon 
placed  him  at  the  head  of  the  bar  in  his  native  State.  Ho  was 
iiiudo  Attorney-General  of  Maryland,  in  1837.    Four  years  after, 

*  From  the  "  Memoir  of  Roger  Brooke  Taney, "  by  Samuel  Tyler,  LL.D. ;  "  Ap- 

pl'toii's  American  Cvclopa^cUa,"'  18r'>;  nnfl  various  other  sources. 

(345) 


f-    ' 


'm^ 


'H 


7  !i 


i  n 


'I    t 


34^  CaUiolicity  i)i  I  he   Ujiitcd  Stales. 


ho  was  raised  to  the  position  of  Attornoy-Gencrul  of  the  United 
Htatcs  ;  aii'l  lu  18113  was  appointed  Secretary  of  tlie  Treasury  by 
President  Jaekson. 

]\Ir.  Taney  b(!C!aine  identified  with  the  great  issues  which  niado 
Jackson's  tcr;n  of  office  an  epoch  in  our  politl(!al  history.  By  a 
happy  coincidence,  tlie  policy  of  these  two  ^xreatmen  liad  a  like 
complexion,  l^resident  Jackson  was  the  declared  enemy  of  the 
gr'jat  liscai  power  of  the  h-ind — the  United  States  Bank.  Taney 
was  the  same.  Their  wise  forethouglit  and  unfluKdiirig  firmiH's.s 
saved  the  Government  from  impending  bankruptcy. 

At  the  death  of  Chief-Justice  Marshall,  Attorney-General 
Taney  was  appointed  to  succeed  hijn.  lie  took  his  scat  on  ilie 
b(!nch  in  January,  JSo?.  The  record  of  Taney's  long  ttsmi  lllls 
no  barren  page  in  American  history.  Never  before,  or  sinee, 
were  such  grave  questions  submitted  to  the  Supreme  Court  for 
adjudication.  (Questions  about  State  rights  were  ever  being 
raised.  The  Constitution  had  to  be  defined.  It  retpiireda  firm 
and  profound  mind  to  sift  and  settle  everything.  To  this  mi;,  y 
task,  difficult  as  it  was  ungrateful,  did  Chief-Justice  Taney  bend 
himself  with  devoted  energy.  His  was  old  Roman  justice- 
strict,  unerring,  inflexible.  Nothing  could  turn  it  a  hair's  breadth 
from  the  even  tenor  of  its  Way.  The  Catholic  head  of  the  Judicial 
Department  discharged  his  duty  to  the  letter.  In  the  d(icision 
of  (piestions  which  came  before  him  as  a  judge,  he  displayed 
unsurpassed  ability.  The  most  noted  of  his  decisions  was  the 
famous  Dred  Scott  case  ;  a  decision  which  his  bitter  eno.i:ies— 
and  he  had  not  a  few — took  every  occasion  to  misrepresent. 
They  charg(3d  him  with  being  the  advocate  of  slavery.  But  noth- 
ing could  be  more  false.  The  Chief-Justice  was  at  heart  a  prac- 
tical abolitionist.  lie  set  tlio  example  liimself.  In  early  iifoli<' 
gave  freedom  to  all  the  slaves  lie  inherited  fi*om  liis  hither.  Tin; 
old  ones  he  cliaritalily  sui)ported  by  monthly  allowances  to  the 
day  of  their  death. 

When  tile  civil  war  broke  out,  tlic  difficulties  of  Chief-Justice 
Taney's  position  may  well  be  imagined.  Yet  the  virtue  and 
greatness  of  tht;  man  cast  a  halo  of  honor  on  his  high  offlce, 
which  neither  the  misfortunes  of  the  times  nor  the  disasters  of 
the  nation  could  iouch  or  tarnish.  The  aged  and  devoted  patriot 
b(diel(l  with  mingled  hope  and  fear  the  djirk  clouds  which  overcast 
the  Republic.  Writing  to  a  friend  on  his  birth-day,  March  17ih, 
lSfi2,  he  said:  "  I  wish  I  could  have  seen  my  eighty-sixth  year 
begin  with  brigliter  hopes.  The  one  I  have  just  passed  has  been 
a  bad  one.     *    +    *    *  God's  will  be  done  ;  imd  we  must  meet  it 


•y-ncnoral 
,>at  on  the 
;  term  iills 
I,  or  siiif'o, 
i  Court  for 
over  bfin^ 
lirocl  a  linn 
tlvismU     y 
Taney  bend 
n   justice— 
lir's  breadth 
the  Judicial 
;he  dcicision 
le  dispUiycd 
oris  was  the 
ir  eno:i;i«rt— 
lisrc  pre  sent. 

y.  Butnoth- 

leart  a  pnvc- 

oarir  iif<'l"' 

fi.^lier.  Til'' 

iuices  to  the 


lis  Hu'ory  from  1850  to  1876.  347 

witli  the  faith  of  Christl.in.s  and  the  firninesH  and  courage  of 
manhood." 

With  all  his  senses  unimpaired  to  the  last,  and  his  raind  elear 
and  vigorous  as  ever,  this  illustrious  Catholic  Chief-Justice  of 
the  Inited  States  died  October  1^,  1864. 

I  iiave  thus  rajiidly  traced  the  grand  and  spotless  public 
career  of  Chief-Justice  Taney,  who,  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a 
century,  was  head  of  the  judicial  department,  and  who  admin- 
istered the  oatli  of  office  to  nine  Presidents  of  the  United  States. 
But  his  noble  life  derived  its  force  and  beauty  froju  religion, 
which  ever  shed  its?  hallowed  rays  aloij!!;  his  pathway.  He  was 
u  (Icvoied  Catholic.  When  liis  mother  died  in  1814,  she  was 
buried  in  a  little  graveyard  back  of  a  little  chapel,  then  the  only 
Catholic  chapel  In  Frederick.  Here  he  requested  to  be  buried 
by  hiS  mother's  side,  no  matter  where  lie  should  die.  "In  this 
little  chapel,"  wi'ites  his  biographer,  "  with  its  twiliglit  stillness, 
iMr.  Taney  could  bo  seen  every  morning  during  his  resi(h'nco  at 
Frederick,  in  rain  or  sunshine."  "The  well-known  humility  of 
Mr.  Taney,"  says  the  venerable  Jesuit,  Father  John  McElroy, 
"made  the  practice  of  confession  easy  to  him.  Often  have  I 
seen  lum  stand  at  the  outer  door  leading  to  the  confessional  in 
a  crowd  of  penitents — majority  cnlnnd — waiting  liis  turn  for  ad- 
iiii.s.sion.  1  proposed  to  introduce  him  by  another  door  to  my  con- 
fessional, but  ho  would  not  .accept  of  any  deviation  from  estab- 
lished custom."  In  troubhis  and  difficulties  it  was  his  habit  to 
receive  holy  communion  in  order  to  invoke  grace  and  strength 
from  God.  "  Most  tliankful  am  I,"  wrote  the  ChiefJustice  sonus 
tiiiK!  before  his  death  to  his  cousin,  an  old  man,  "that  the 
reading,  reflection,  study,  and  experience  of  a  long  life  have 
strengthened  and  continued  my  faith  in  the  Catholic  Church, 
whicli  has  never  ceased  to  teach  her  children  how  they  .should 
live,  and  how  they  should  die."  His  own  life  was  an  illustration 
fif  the  grandeur  of  the  ancient  faith.  His  biographer  rehites 
that  one  day  Justice  Daniel  hastily  entered  the  room  of  the 
''hief-Justice  and  found  him  kneeling  in  prayer.  Mr.  Daniel 
iift<'r\vards  apologized  for  the  intrusion.  The  Chief-Justice 
made  some  kind  remark,  and  added  that  ho  never  began  the 
'liitics  (;f  the  day  with<iut  asking  divine  assistance. 

Ijt'sides  being  a  great  judge  and  a  pious  Christian,  ho  was  a 
iuodfl  gentleman — one  of  the  kindest  of  uhmi.  Such  was  the 
•iian.i  of  his  manneivs  that  every  newly-api)ointed  officer  was  at 
liis  liist  interview  with  the  Chief  .Fustice  hrcnight  to  regard  him 
with  iillcctionate  reverence.     "  Chief-Juistiee  Taney,"  said  Mr. 


I.-': 


« 


:« 


mma^mmmimmm 


348 


Catholicity  in   the  United  States. 


Laraon,  "was  tho  greatest  and  best  man  I  oversaw.  I  never 
went  into  his  jiresence  on  business  that  his  gracious  courtesy 
and  kind  consideration  did  not  make  ]  lefeel  that  I  was  abetter 
man  for  being  in  his  presence." 

In  person,  the  Cliief-Justico  was  tall  and  commanding,  His 
mind  was  luminous  and  powerful.  "From  his  clear,  vigorous, 
and  perfectly  unimpaired  in+ollcct,"  said  Charles  O'Conor, 
"  there  shone  out  even  to  the  last  moment  a  force  that  seemed 
proof  against  decay"  "I  hope  when  his  history  is  known," 
wrote  the  renowned  General,  Robert  E.  Lee,  "  that  it  will  exalt 
him  in  the  estimation  of  all  honorable  men  to  the  high  position 
he  holds  in  mine." 

The  memory  of  this  grand  old  Catholic  jurist  will  live  forever, 

"As  some  tall  cliff  that  lifts  its  noble  form 
Swells  from  the  vale  and  midway  loaves  tlie  storm. 
Though  round  its  breast  the  rolling  clouds  are  spread, 
Eternal  sunshine  settler  on  its  head." 


%\  ;^^'«'f 


■  m 


BOOK   III. 


KELIGIOUS    ORDEKS   OF    THE    UNITED 

STATES. 

CHAPTER  I. 

THE   EELIurOUS   ORDERS   OF   MEN. 
"  The  world  knows  nothing  of  its  greatest  men."— Tatlok. 


INTRODUCTORY  REMARKS — THE   FHANCISCAN8— DOMINICANS — JESUITS — 

ACGU8TINIAN3 SUIiPITIANS— -TRAPPISTS — LAZARISTS — REDEMPTOR- 

IST3— CONGREGATION  OF  THE  HOLY  CROSS — FATHERS  OF  MERCY — 
CONGHEOATION  OF  THE  MOST  PRECIOUS  BLOOD — BENEDICTINES — 
CHRISTIAN  BROTHERS — MISSIONARY  OBLATES — BROTHERS  OF  MARY — 
PASSI0NIST8— XAVERIAN  BROTHERS — PAUI.IST  FATHERS — TABLE  OF 
STATISTICS. 

"  I  CONFESS,"  writes  the  profound  Protestant  philosopher, 
Leibnitz,  "  that  I  have  ardently  admired  the  religious  orders ; 
for  they  are  a  sort  of  celestial  soldiery  upon  earth.  Nor  is  it 
the  least  among  those  marks  wliich  comiiiend  us  to  that 
Church,  which  alone  has  preserved  the  name  and  the  badges 
of  Catholicity,  that  we  see  her  alone  produce  and  cherisli 
tliese  illiistrious  examples  of  the  eminent  virtues  and  of  the 
ascetic  life." 

Catholicity  alone  can  produce  religious  orders  of  men  and 
women,  because  it  alone  is  divine.  The  very  barrenness  of 
the  sects  bears  testimony  against  them.  The  Catholic  Clun-ch 
is  the  mother  of  the  religious  past — the  hope  of  the  religi- 
ous future.  She  is  the  grand  ]iower  Avliich  can  mould  variety 

(349) 


^— — . — W--^ 


^imWw' 


mmmma 


"*■  I 


350  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

into  unity ;  wliicli  oilers  states  of  life  suited  to  tlie  spiritual 
wants  of  all  humanity  ;  which  can  bend  the  world  to  virtue, 
yet  make  allowance  lor  the  ^peculiarities  of  times,  and  peo- 
ples, and  countries ;  which  can  do  good  in  a  thous'  nd  dilTer- 
ent  ways :  and  which  can  rear  up  frail  man  to  tlie  practice  of 
the  most  heroic  virtues.  Religious  institutes  owe  their  very 
existence  to  the  sublime  spirit  of  the  ancient  faith.  They 
are  the  beautiful  branches  which  adorn  the  tree  of  the 
Church.  Their  origin  may  be  traced  back  to  the  f.rst  Chi'is- 
tians  who,  possessing  all  things  in  common,  lived  together  as 
if  they  had  "  ))ut  one  heart  and  one  soul."  Europe  should 
know  their  value;  and  America  need  not  be  ignorant  of  it. 
They  were  the  pioneers  of  the  New  AVorld.  Civilization 
followed  their  footsteps.  If  the  priest  is  the  gi-andest  tigure 
in  our  early  history,  he  is  the  same  in  the  early  history  of 
Europe.  The  great  monks  of  old  shine  as  lights  for  after- 
times.  Iii  the  early  and  ndddle  ages  it  is  to  the  cloister  we 
must  look  for  all  that  was  greatest  in  virtue  and  knowledge. 
And  in  our  own  day,  it  would  be  easy  to  name  a  dozen  Religions 
Orders,  any  one  of  which  has  done  more  for  the  progress  of 
true  civilization  and  the  march  of  intellect,  than  all  the  so- 
called  philosopliers  that  ever  lived.  Catholicity  alone  can 
produce  a  Sister  of  Charity,  a  Jesuit  Father,  a  Benedictine, 
a  Trappist,  or  a  Christian  Brother.  In  vain  do  we  look  for 
them  elsewhere. 

The  primary  object  of  all  religious  institutes  is  the  perfec- 
tion of  the  members,  tlie  practice  of  the  Gospel  counsels,  and 
the  pe^'formance  of  certain  good  works,  which  shall  be  for 
the  greater  glory  of  God.  Human  nature  is  weak  and  vari- 
able. To  enable  man  to  walk  the  sti-aight  and  difficult  way 
of  virtue  and  self-abnegation,  the  religious  state  calls  on  hiui 
to  strengthen  his  good  purposes  by  making  solemn  proml^^es 
to  (rod.  But  this  is  done  only  after  long  and  mature  prep- 
aration. The  young  person  enters  an  Order,  bconies  a 
novice,  tries  himself,  and  is  tried  by  ntliers.  In  this  prepr.ra- 
tion  there  is  an  element  of  seventy,  but  there  is  also  soirie- 
thing  sublime,  beautiful.     Humanity  is  elevated,  the  woi'ld 


The  Religions  Orders  of  Men. 


351 


is  forgotten,  grace  subdues  the  passions,  the  heart  is  pure^ 
and  life  glides  gently  awav  like  the  cahn  current  of  some 
delightful  stream.  True  I  lL<3  stream  is  sometimes  riiiiied  ; 
but  the  water  is  ever  bright,  and  assumes  its  most  silveiy 
hue  in  passing  over  the  obstacles  met  in  its  course.  Tf  ever 
the  great  God  communes  with  a  human  soul,  it  is  with  the 
pure  soul  of  the  young  religious. 

The  three  vows  are  taken — poverty,  chastity,  and  obedi- 
ence— perhaps,  forever.  The  path  of  life  for  the  youthful 
aspirant  after  Cdnistian  perfection  is  now  fixed.  His  por- 
])etual  vow  is  his  compass ;  the  rules  of  the  Order,  his  chai-t. 
Clouds  may  overcast  and  troubles  and  temptations  occasion- 
ally mark  the  course  of  his  frail  bark.  Still,  amid  all  the 
trials  !md  storms  of  life,  he  has  1)ut  to  cast  his  eyes  heaven- 
ward, and  he  beholds  the  rainbow  of  hope  in  the  sky  of  faith. 
All  this,  it  may  be  said,  is  strange. 

"  'Tis  strange — but  true  ;  for  truth  is  always  strange." 

To  the  genuine  religious,  his  holy  state  is  the  royal  way  of 
the  cross  in  this  world  ;  and  in  the  words  of  the  hnitatlon  of 
Chi'lst :  "'  Blessed  is  he  who  has  there  lived  well,  and  made 
a  happy  end  ! '' 

[In  the  following  brief  sketches  of  the  various  relig-ious  Orders 
and  Congregations  in  the  United  J^tates,  a  chronological  arrange- 
ment is  adopted,  according  to  the  date  of  entrance  witliin  our 
present  territory.] 


'V 


1.     The  FuAxcTSi..ANs. 

(A.I..   1528.) 

The  Franciscauii,  or  Friars  Minor,  were  founded  In  120!) 
by  the  scrajdiic  St.  Francis  »>f  Assisium.  The  Order  was 
instituted  to  inculcate  the  practice  of  the  Christian  \  irtues 
-lid  ihc  evangc.dical  counsels  by  worvl  and  example.  Its  sin- 
fiular  history  during  the  last  six  centuries  and  a  half  foi-ms 
a  faniouH  record,  tilled  with  great  aiid  saintly  names  and 
.'^biniri'/  d*- ds.     St.  Aiithony  of  Pndua,    St.    P>on;i venture, 


352  Catholicily  in  the  United  States. 

and  St.  Bernardine  of  Sienna  wore  Franciscans.  The  Clmrcli 
is  indebted  to  tliis  Ordei-foi-  iive  Popes,  and  over  two  thou- 
sand live  hundred  patriarchs,  arclibishops,  and  bishops.  Duns 
Scotus,  Cardinal  Xeinines,  Luke  Wadding,  Father  O'Leai'v, 
Fathew  Mathew,  and  the  learned  and  patriotic  authoivs  of 
the  "  Annals  of  the  Four  Masters  "  were  Sons  of  St.  Francis, 
Indeed,  the  list  might  easily  be  extended. 

Owing  to  various  changes  and  reforms  that  have  taken 
place,  from  time  to  time,  the  Order  of  St.  Francis  is  divided 
into  several  branches  with  distinct  names :  (1)  RecoUecU, 
(2)  Capuchins,  (3)  Conventuals,  (4)  Brothers  of  the  Third 
Order. 

-.Tlie  relations  of  the  Franv.i3cans  with  America  began  at 
its  discovery.  Columbus  himself  belonged  to  the  Tldrd 
Order,*  as  did  Isabella  of  Spain  ;  and  we  know  tliat  the 
warm-hearted  Father  John  Perez,  prior  of  the  I'ranc'soaii 
Convent,  who  saddled  his  mule  and  departed  at  miJniiilit 
for  the  Spanish  Court,  in  order  to  plead  the  cause  of  Colum- 
bus, had  an  honorable  shai-e  in  the  discover-'  of  Amerioa. 
Thus  we  learn  that  the  ''  lady,  the  mariner,  and  the  monk,'' 
whose  genius  and  enterprise  found  a  new  world,  were  bound 
by  close  ties  to  the  famous  Order  founded  by  the  great  saint 
of  Assisiuin.  The  lirst  priest  who  set  foot  on  the  shores  of 
America  was  a  Franciscan,  as  was  the  tirst  bishop,  the  iii-st 
archbishop,  and,  we  believe,  also  the  first  martyr  for  the 
Faith. -j-  Let  us  be  just,  love  truth,  respect  history,  give 
honor  where  honor  is  due. 

Bisliop  John  Juarez  and  his  companions  of  the  Order  of 

•  The  Third  Order  was  instituted  by  St.  Francis  for  people 
living  in  tlie  world.  At  a  later  date,  Pope  Leo  X.  selected  from 
the  written  rules  of  St.  Francis  those  to  be  observed  by  such  of 
the  Tliird  <)i'der  as  lived  in  community.  The  Brothers  of  the 
Third  Order  form  a  rcji^ular  monastic  body. 

t  Of  the  57  martyrs  known  to  have  shed  their  blood  for  the 
Faith  within  the  present  limits  of  the  United  States.  3T  were 
Franciscans,  16  were  .Jesuits,  3  were  Dominicans,  2  were  i*eciilar 
priests,  and  one  was  a  Sulpitian. —  "St.  Francis  aiid  the  Fran- 
ciscans." 


The  Religiotis  Orders  of  Men.  353 

St.  Francis  landed  on  the  shores  of  Florida  in  1528.  Their 
fate  has  been  already  noticed.  They  were  the  iirst  mission- 
aries who  set  foot  within  our  present  territory.  Father 
Padilla,  O.S.F.,  and  Brother  John  of  the  Cross,  O.S.F.,  be- 
deM'cd  the  soil  of  New  Mexico  with  their  blood  in  1542. 
Two  years  later,  Father  de  Olnios,  O.S.F.,  began  to  preach 
to  the  savages  of  Texas.  In  1593,  Father  Francis  Pareja, 
O.S.F.,  composed  the  first  book  ever  prhited  in  an  Indian 
diiileet.  The  first  explorer  of  New  Mexico,  Texas,  and 
upper  California  was  the  Italian  Franciscan,  Father  Mark  of 
Nice.  Before  the  close  of  the  sixteenth  century,  the  hyums 
of  Christianity  resounded  from  the  Franciscan  chapels  of 
Florida,  and  the  wild  children  of  the  forest  had  learned  to 
praise  God.  The  Franciscan  was  also  the  first  to  announce 
the  gospel  to  the  fierce  Iroquois  and  the  natives  of  Canada. 
"The  unambitious  Franciscan,  Le  Caron,"  writes  Bancroft, 
''  years  before  the  Pilgrims  anchored  in  Cape  Cod,  had  pene- 
trated the  land  of  the  Mohawk — had  passed  to  the  north 
into  the  hunting  grounds  of  the  Wyandots,  and,  bound  by 
his  vows  to  the  life  of  a  beggar,  had  on  foot  or  paddling  a 
hark  canoe  gone  onward,-  and  still  onward,  taking  alms  of  the 
savages  till  ho  reached  the  rivers  of  Lake  Huron."  One 
hundred  years  ago.  Father  Serra,  O.S.F.,  founded  San  Fran- 
cisco, which,  translated,  is  simply  Saint  Francis. 

As  the  power  of  France  diminished,  and  the  persecuting 
power  of  England  increased  in  America,  the  Franciscans 
gradually  withdrew  from  our  territory.  The  Holy  See,  in 
1804,  authorized  Eev.  Father  Michael  Egan,  O.S.F.,  to 
establish  a  province  of  his  Order  in  the  United  States.  The 
1  roject  was  not  successful.  Si::  years  later.  Father  Egan 
was  consecrated  first  Bishop  of  Philadelphia. 

In  1854,  a  colony  of  Franciscan  Fathers  from  Home,  setr 
tk'd  at  Alleghany,  N.  Y.  They  came  at  the  earnest  invita-r 
tion  of  Bishop  Tim<m  atui  Xicholas  Devereux,  Esq.,  the 
latter  of  whom  generously  gave  them  the  necessary  land  and 
fiiitdi-  to  fcund  an  eptabli^^hment.  This  happy  commence- 
ineiit  was  destined  to  l)e  succeeded  bv  many  others.  At  pres- 


'  r^ 


\\ 


m  11 


.  I'l', 


':  m 


#i 


f;  ;-3 


354  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


eiit,  the  Franciscan  Fatlicj's  conduct  several  colleges  and 
possess  mnnerous  convents.  Among  their  institutions  of 
learning  arc  St.  Bonaventure's  College,  Alleghany,  X.  Y.; 
St.  Francis'  College,  Quincv,  111.;  Franciscan  College,  Santa 
Barl)ara,  California  ;  and  St.  Joseph's  Kcclesiastical  C(»lk'ge, 
Teutopolis,  111.  The  Recollects  have  houses  in  j^ew  York, 
Connecticut,  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois,  and  California;  the 
Capuchins,  in  New  York  and  Wisconsin ;  and  the  Conven- 
tuals, in  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Indiana,  and  Kentuckv.-^ 

The  Franciscan  Brothers  have  several  important  establiih- 
ments  in  the  United  States.  In  1847,  Bishop  O'Connor,  of 
Pittsburg,  Pa.,  obtained  from  the  houses  in  Ireland  -ix 
Brothers,  who  founded  several  communities  in  his  diocese, 
the  principal  of  which  is  that  of  Loretto.  In  1858,  at  the  in- 
vitation of  Bishop  Lauglilin,  two  Brothers  came  to  Brooklyn. 
Though  surrounded  by  difficulties,  their  numbers  increased 
and  their  resources  multij)lied.  The  Brooklyn  community 
now  numbers  forty-eight  members,  and  conducts  St.  Francis 
College,  two  academies,  and  seven  parochial  schools.  In  1875 
a  monastery  was  founded  at  Bondout,  N.  Y.,  where  the 
Brothers  conduct  an  academy.  The  Mother- House  of  tl;^ 
Franciscan  Brothers  is  at  Loretto,  Pa.,  where  they  have  also 
a  flourishing  college.  At  the  present  time  the  Brothers  have 
five  monasteries,  numbering  one  hundred  and  twenty  mem- 
bers, in  the  United  States.*!' 

V'lius  the  first  Eeligious  (^rder  that  entered  our  country, 
but  after  a  time  was  obliged  to  withdraw  from  it,  lias  again 
taken  deep  and  permanent  root  on  American  soil. 

*  These  three  branches  of  tho  Franciscan  Fathers  have  be- 
tween thh'ty  and  forty  establishments  in  the  United  States;  but 
the  writei',  tlivough  no  fault  of  his  own,  has  been  unable  to  ob- 
tain the  number  of  members. 

t  For  the  foi'egoing  details  concerning  the  Franciscan  Broth- 
ers, the  writer  is  indebted  to  the  kind  courtesy  of  Rev.  Brother 
Paul,  O.S.F.,  President  of  St.  Francis  College,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 


355 


The  Rcligiotis  Orders  of  Men. 

The  Dominicans, 
(a.d.    1539.) 


The  Order  of  St.  Dominic,  or  tlic  Order  of  Preachers,  was 
founded  by  the  renowned  saint  wh(j3e  rtTiine  it  ])ears,  in  the 
beginning  of  the  thirteenth  century,  having  received  the 
approbation  of  tlio  Pope  in  1210.  St.  Dominic,  a  member 
of  the  ilhistrious  Spanisli  house  of  De  Guzman,  was  born  in 
1170,  and  died  in  1221.  As  a  saintly  priest,  powerful 
preaclier,  and  successful  missionary,  he  v/as  unsurpassed. 
Among  tlie  fanatical  heretics  of  his  day,  God  was  pleased 
to  make  St.  Dominic's  preacliing  the  instrument  of  His  grace 
to  sti'ike  the  rocks,  to  open  the  iniwilling  ears,  and  to  soften 
the  hardened  hearts  of  many  whom  even  the  tlumder  of  St. 
Bernard  liad  not  been  able  to  move.  Besides  working  nu- 
merous miracles,  he  instituted  the  world-wide  devotion  of 
the  liosary,  or  Beads.  ''  His  Order,"  says  the  venerable  Alban 
Butler,  who  wrote  more  than  a  centurv  acjo,  "  lias  ijiven  tlio 
Church  five  Popes,  forty-eight  Cardinals,*  twenty-three  Pa- 
triarchs, fifteen  hundred  Bishops,  six  hundred  Archbisliops, 
and  a  great  number  of  eminent  doctors  and  writers."  The 
name  of  St.  Thomas  Aquinas,  the  prince  of  theologians, 
would  alone  be  sufficient  to  reflect  iimnortal  honor  on  this 
great  order  of  preachers,  scholars,  and  saints.  In  our  own 
day  we  can  recall  to  mind  the  glories  of  the  French  and  the 
Irish  pulpits — the  sublime  Pere  Lacordaire,  and  the  eloquent 
Father  Burke. 

The  influence  of  this  Order  on  the  Fine  Arts  has  exceeded 
all  others.  "  The  Domini  cans,"  writes  Mrs,  Jamieson,  "  have 
]>ro(luced  two  of  the  most  excellent  ])ainters  who  have  drawn 
their  inspirations  from  religious  influences — Angelico  da 
Tiesolo  and  Bartolomeo  della  Porta." 

Boniinican  missionaries  l)egan  to  preach  to  the  Indians  of 
the  South  as  early  as  1539.     Several  proved  the  faith  that 


i  m 


^iii-fl 


*  'i'hc  number  has  now  grown  to  66. 


^  -i, 


35^  Caiholicily  in  the   United  States. 

tlicv  ))r(»l'eoSO(l  by  hravcly  inecrmi^  ti  cnu'l  dcutli.  F.itlici' 
J.oiiis  ( '.'lucer,  O.S.I).,  wiisdic;  protoiiiarlyrof  Florida.  After 
the  example  of  Las  (/asus,  they  were  everywhere  the  hoiio- 
faetors  of  the  native  raees  and  their  protectors  against  Euro- 
pean l)rutality.  On  the  destruction  of  the  nils-sions  the  Suns 
of  St.  Dominic  depavted  from  our  sliores. 

We  must  come  down  to  th(;  nineteenth  century  to  liinl 
ag'ain  the  wliite  liahit  of  the  Dominican  in  our  country.  In 
1805,  Father  Fdward  D.  Fenvvick,  O.S.D.,  afterwards  iirst 
llishop  of  (Cincinnati,  accom[)anied  by  three  Fathers  of  the 
English  province,  arrived  in  the  United  States.  Their  ilrst 
estahlishment  was  the  Convent  of  St.  Hose,  near  Spring- 
iield,  Kentucky ;  the  second,  the  Convent  of  St.  Jose])li, 
Perry  county,  Ohio.  These  two  houses  still  continue  to  be 
their  principal  establishments  of  education  in  the  United 
States. 

The  chief  object  of  this  Order  is  to  i)reach  the  Gospel  to 
all  nations,  Its  rules  and  constitutions  are  made  subservient 
to  this  great  end,  always  preserving,  of  course,  the  three 
vows  of  religion.  In  our  country  the  principal  occu]);ition 
of  the  I)o)ninican  Fathers  has  been  the  studying  and  teaeli- 
ing  of  theology,  philoso])hy,  and  history,  varied,  frequently, 
by  the  most  arduous  and  untiring  efforts  to  establish  mission.^ 
and  to  build  up  churches.  About  twenty  Fathers  have  been 
employed  in  giving  missions  or  retreats  to  the  faithful  dur- 
ing the  last  iifteen  years,  and  always  with  marked  suecesB. 
At  present,  there  are  three  bands  of  Dominican  missioiuu'ies 
organized  to  carry  on  tuat  most  iiseful  work. 

Tlie  Dominicans  ]X)Ssess  eight  establishments:  two  in 
Kentucky;  two  in  Ohio;  one  in  Tennessee;  one  in  IS'ew 
York  ;  one  in  Washington,  D.  C;  and  one  in  New  Jersey, 
In  these  convents  there  are  about  fifty  priests,  six  professed 
clerical  novices,  twelve  novices  and  ]Jostulants,  and  twenty- 
fiye  lay  Brothers.  As  to  nationality,  the  members  arechieHy 
(\dtic  and  Irish.  lu  this  enumeration  (■alifornia  is  not 
comprised.     There  is  a  flourishing  province  of  Dominicans 


The  Religious  Orders  of  Men.  357 

in  that  State*  Arnoiifij  tlie  illustrious  ])r('l!itos  wliieli  the 
Order  of  St.  Dominic  has  given  to  the  Am^icaii  (Jhurch 
may  he  iiiimod,  Drs.  Concauen  and  Connelly,  first  and 
.second  liishops  of  New  York  ;  J)r.  E.  D.  Fenwick,  iirst 
IJisliop  of  Cincinnati ;  and  Most  Rev.  Joseph  S.  Alemany, 
present  Archhishop  of  San  Francisco. 


t 


The  Socikty  of  Jesus, 
(a.u.  ir)<)5.) 

A  countless  numher  of  hooks  has  hecn  written  on  the 
Society  of  Jesus.  Their  contents  could  scarcely  be  mas- 
tered in  a  lifetime.  The  career  of  this  celebrated  Order 
involves  many  of  the  greatest  points  of  modern  history. 
Its  friends  and  its  enemies  have  alike  been  numberless. 
The  Held  of  its  labors  has  been  as  wide  as  the  world,  as  lim- 
itless as  science  aiul  religion.  Fc  these  i-easons,  it  can  easily 
be  conceived  that  a  brief  notice,  which  at  the  same  time 
shall  bo  satisfactory,  is  next  to  impossible. 

St.  Ignatius,  the  founder  of  the  Society  of  Jesus,  was 
born  in  14'Jl,  in  the  (^istle  of  Loyola,  situated  in  the  north 
of  Spain.  His  father  was  head  of  one  of  the  most  ancient 
and  noble  families  of  that  country.  Ignatius  grew  up  to 
manhood,  a  proud  and  asj)iring  soldier.  lie  possessed  mili- 
tary talents  of  a  high  order,  and  became  known  as  an  ac- 
complished connnander.  In  the  storming  of  Pampeluna, 
which  he  defended  against  the  French,  the  young  Spanish 
iiohlenian  received  a  severe  wound  that  confined  him  to  his 
sick-room.  In  this  (juiet  seclusion  he  read — accidentally 
read — the  lives  of  the  sahits.  Grace  touched  his  heart. 
Kew  light  flashed  on  his  mind.  The  invincible  soldier  at 
once  began  to  walk  the  way  of  the  saints.  This  was  just  at 
the  period  when  Luther,  the  apostate  monk  of  Germany, 
finally  threw  oft"  the  mask,  and  bade  defiance  to  the  Holy- 
See. 

Ignatius  of   Lo)ola  was  now  thirty  years  of  age.     His 

*  T.otror  of  Rev.  Stephen  Byrne,  O.P.,  to  author. 


i. 


■^J 


^> 


'Vi 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


ilM  ilM 

IM    |||!|2,2 


i^ 


M 

1.8 


1.25      1.4    1  1 A 

41 

6" 

► 

<^ 


^?/ 


/}. 


^. 


(P 


^ 


(fy- 


c=2 


^-W' 


rC^ 


/I 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


d 


,\ 


^> 


v 


\\ 


If 


q>' 


o^ 


%^ 


'<^ 


<?) 


V 


23  WE   I  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)  873-4503 


I 


'^6 


V 


\ 


^ 


^mm 


358  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

knowledge  of  books  was  limited.  He  could  barely  read  and 
write.  But  with  unequalled  courage  be  entered  on  the  pur- 
suit of  learning  and  virtue.  Taking  the  degree  of  Master  of 
Arts,  the  valiant  defender  of  Pampeluna  completed  his  di- 
vinity course,  was  ordained  priest,  gathered  a'  ound  him  ten 
choice  and  learned  young  men,  animated  by  his  own  master- 
spirit, and  formed  them  into  a  religious  order.  The  serv- 
ices of  this  company  of  youthful  Christian  heroes,  he  placed 
at  the  disposal  of  the  Pope.  Among  them  were  Francis 
Xavier,  James  Laynez,  and  Peter  Faber.  Pope  Paul  III. 
approved  the  new  Order,  in  1540,  under  the  title  of  The 
Sooiety  of  Jesvs — the  name  given  it  by  St.  Ignatius  him- 
self. 

Such,  in  brief,  was  the  origin  of  that  wonderful  rehgions 
institute,  rrliich  from  its  first  years  assumed  the  stature  of 
a  colossus,  which  has  peopled  Heaven  with  saints,  and 
filled  the  world  with  the  renown  of  its  name  and  its  decnU. 

The  rules  and  constitutions  laid  down  by  St.  Ignatius 
for  the  government  of  his  Society  bear  the  stamp  of  tlio 
saint,  the  scholar,  and  the  soldier.  Their  object  is  to  train 
each  of  the  members  to  the  highest  possible  degree  of  vir- 
tue and  learning.*  The  system  of  discipline  is  thorough. 
It  is  a  military  maxim,  that  "  obedience  is  the  first  duty  of 
the  soldier."  The  Jesuit  also  acknowledges  it.  Besides, 
his  every  action  is  to  be  done  "  ad  majorem  Dei  gloriamr 

*  The  life  of  the  Jesuit,  from  the  time  ho  enters  the  Society 
until  he  takes  his  last  vows,  may  be  thus  briefly  traced;  Tlioro 
are,  firstly,  two  years  of  novitiate  life,  entirely  occupied  with 
prayer,  recollection,  works  of  self-denial,  and  the  practical 
study  of  perfection.  The  candidate  is  now  admitted  to  binding 
vows,  and  begins  a  prolonged  and  rigid  course  of  studies.  Four 
years  or  more  are  given  to  rhetoric,  literature,  philosophy, 
physics,  and  mathematics.  After  this,  the  young  professor 
passes  from  four  to  six  years  in  teaching  in  tbo  colleges  of  tho 
(Society.  He  then  devotes  from  four  to  six  years  to  theology, 
the  study  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  canon  law.  Church  history, 
and,  perhaps,  the  Oriental  languages.  On  terminating  this 
course,  ho  undergoes  a  strict  exaniination,  after  which,  if  duly 


!! 


The  Religious  Orders  of  Men. 


359 


No?  is  this  all.  St.  Ignatius  wished  his  disciples  to  be 
those  "  who  in  everything,  in  history,  in  physics,  in  philoso- 
phy and  literature,  as  in  theology,  do  not  remain  behind 
their  age,  but  are  able  to  follow,  or  even  to  aid  its  advances, 
vet  without  ever  forgetting  that  they  are  vowed  to  the-  de- 
fence of  religion  and  to  the  salvation  of  souls." 

The  Society  of  Jesus  at  once  b'^carae  the  vanguard  of 
the  Church  in  Europe,  and  carried  the  faith  to  the  ends  of 
the  earth.  "  It  was  an  evil  day  for  new-born  Protestant- 
ism," writes  Francis  Parkman,  "  when  a  French  artillery- 
man stnick  down  Ignatius  Loyola  in  the  breach  of  Parape- 
lima."*  "  The  Jesuits,"  says  the  Abbo  Balmes,  "  were  a 
wall   of   brass    against  the    assaults    upon    the    Catholic 

faith.'^t 

America  soon  became  the  theatre  of  the  apostolic  zeal 
of  the  Jesuit  Fathers.  In  1565,  the  fearless  Father  Peter 
Martinez,  S.J.,  shed  his  blood  in  Florida.  In  the  seven- 
teenth century,  the  Sons  of  Ignatius  erected  the  cross  in 
the  forests  of  Maine,  in  the  everglades  of  Florida,  in  the 
heart  of  New  York,  in  the  Mississippi  Valley,  along  the 
Great  Lakes,  and  on  the  shores  of  tlie  wide  Pacific.  Two 
hundred  years  ago,  as  already  related.  Father  Marquette 
dififovcred  the  Mississippi.  "  Kot  a  cape  was  turned,  or  a 
river  entered,  but  a  Jesuit  led  the  way.":}: 

;N either  the  fierce  Iroquois,  the  roving  Sioux,  nor  the  ter- 


preparod,  he  is  admitted  to  tlie  priesthood.  The  young  Jesuit  is 
now,  it  miglit  be  supposed,  sufficiently  armed  with  science  and 
relifjion  to  meet  the  trying  duties  of  life.  But  his  schooling  is 
not  yet  complete.  Another  year  is  spent  away  from  the  world, 
away  from  books,  iif  prayer  and  contemplation.  At  the  expi- 
nitiuii  of  this  year  (or,  perhaps,  of  umny  years),  if  he  has 
prov'd  his  entire  fitness,  he  is  admitted  to  the  last  vows  of  the 
Sorit'ty — ho  receives  from  the  Father  General  the  gradiis,  and 
is  fully  professed.  These  steps  generally  cover  a  term  of  from 
fittooii  to  twenty  years. 

*  "The  J«isuits  in  Nortli  America." 

t  "  European  Civilization.'* 

:  Haiu'roft. 


I 


i 


360  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

rors  of  death  in  the  wilderness,  could  daunt  these  valiant 
soldiers  of  the  Faith.  They  "  never  receded  one  foot."* 
The  Huron  missions  of  Canada  fomi  the  grandest  chapter 
in  the  history  of  that  country.  There  a  brave  hand  of 
Jesuit  Fathers  labored,  nuv  flinched  when  an  appaliin"' 
death  sought  them.  The  iron  Brebeuf,  the  gentle  Gamier, 
the  all-enduring  Jogues,  the  enthusiastic  Chaumonot,  Lalle- 
mant,  Le  Mercier,  Daniel,  Poncet,  Le  Moyne — one  and  all 
toiled  with  a  bold  tranquillity  when  their  very  scalps  hung 
by  a  hair ! 

The  Jesuits  were  "  the  first  discoverers  of  the  greater 
part  of  the  interior  of  this  continent.  They  were  the  first 
Eui'opeans  who  formed  a  settlement  on  the  coast  of  Maine. 
They  were  the  first  who  led  the  way  overland  from  Quebec 
to  Hudson  Bay.  It  is  to  one  of  them  that  we  owe  the  dis- 
covery of  the  rich  and  inexhaustible  salt  springs  of  Onon- 
daga.  Within  ten  years  of  their  second  aiTival,t  they  had 
completed  the  examiiiation  of  the  country  from  Lake  Su- 
perior to  the  Gulf,  and  founded  several  villages  of  Christian 
neophytes  on  the  borders  of  the  upper  lakes.  While  tlie 
intercourse  of  the  Dutch  was  yet  confined  to  the  Indians  in 
the  vicinity  of  Fort  Orange,  and  five  years  before  Elliot  of 
New  England  had  addressed  a  single  word  to  the  Indians 
within  six  miles  of  Boston  Harbor,  the  Jesuit  Fathers 
planted  the  cross  at  Sault  Ste.  Marie,  whence  they  looked 
down  on  the  Sioux  country  and  the  Valley  of  the  Missis- 
sippi. 

"  Fortunately,  they  were  men  of  learning  and  observation. 
They  felt  deeply  the  importance  of  their  position,  and 
while  acquitting  themselves  of  the  duties  of  their  calling, 
carefully  recorded  the  progress  of  events  around  them.":}: 

Sixteen  Jesuit  Fathers  bedewed  the  soil  of  the  United 


*  Bancroft. 

t  The  (late  of  thoir  second  arrival  in  Canada  was  1632.    Two 
years  latqr,  another  band  of  Josuits  landed  in  Maryland. 
\  Dr.  E).  B.  O'Callnglmn. 


The  Religious  Orders  of  Men.  361 

States  with  their  martyr-blood.  Rale  and  Du  Tliet  wore 
murdered  for  the  faith  in  Maine.  Jogues  shed  his  blood  in 
New  York.  Segura  and  his  eiglit  Jesuit  companions  laid 
down  their  lives  in  Maryland.  The  aged  Mesnard  furn- 
ished in  the  wilderness  of  Michigan.  Dupoisson  and 
Soiiel  suffered  death  on  the  Lower  Mississippi.  In  short, 
the  footsteps  of  the  Jesuit  can  be  traced  from  the  Atlantic 
to  the  Pacific — from  the  Great  Lakes  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 
Tlie  Sons  of  Loyola  stand  at  the  very  gate  of  American 
history.  We  cannot  enter  without  paying  our  respects  to 
them. 

In  Europe,  the  Jesuit  Fathers  were  the  foremost  champions 
of  the  Faith,  the  guardians  of  Chris^tian  education,  and  the 
vigorous  defenders  of  the  riglits  of  God  and  man.  They 
came  into  the  world  during  a  great  con\Tilsion  of  Christianity 
—an  age  of  social  storms  and  religious  revolutions.  Cath- 
olicity was  assailed.  The  authority  of  the  Holy  See  was 
gcoifed  at.  Man  fell  away  from  the  faith  of  their  fathers. 
The  flag  of  heresy  waved  in  triumph  over  England,  Ger- 
many, and  other  lands.  But  the  Sons  of  Loyola,  trained  to 
virtue,  and  maaters  of  all  knowledge,  arose  in  their  might. 
They  met  heresy  more  than  half  way ;  and  heresy  and  its 
professors  have  never  forgiven  them  I  But  Catholicity 
honored  them — ranked  them  among  its  noblest,  best,  and 
hravest  sons.  Nineteen  Popes  gave  their  warm  sanction  to 
tlie  society.  The  Council  of  Trent  eulogized  their  constitu- 
tions, and  showed  so  much  deference  to  the  Order,  that  when 
Father  Laynez*  was  taken  sick,  tlie  sittings  of  that  cele- 
hrated  body  were  suspended,  and  resmiied  when  he  was 
able  to  be  present. 

Two  centuries  rolled  by,  and  infidelity,  the  offspring  of 
lieresy,  began  to  plot  the  destruction  of  the  Church.  Irre- 
ligious governments,  writers,  and  kings  leagued  together  fin' 


*  Fathers  Laynez  and  Salmeron,  S.J.,  attended  theC<mncil  of 
Trent  as  thoologians. 


362  Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 

this  unholy  purpose.  The  Jesuits  had  the  distinguished 
honor  of  being  the  earliest  victims  immolated  to  the  hatred 
of  these  powerful  wretches.*  The  sentinels  of  Catliolicity, 
they  were  tlie  first  to  feel  the  rage  of  its  enenues.  All 
their  houses  in  Portugal  and  its  colonies  were  suppressed  in 
1758 ;  the  French  parliament  suppressed  the  Society  in 
1762  ;  Spain  and  Naples  continued  the  work  of  sacrilegious 
destruction  in  1767  ;  and  Austria  soon  afterwards  followed 
their  example!  Even  this  slaughter  did  not  satisfy  the 
wolves.  They  demanded  nothing  less  than  the  utter  anni- 
hilation of  the  Society  of  Jesus.  The  situation  of  Europe 
was  truly  fearful.  Clement  XIV.  was  pressed  on  all  sides. 
Threats  of  schism  from  the  so-called  "  Catholic "  courts 
were  heard,  in  case  he  did  not  comply.  Thus  painfully 
placed  between  two  evils,  the  Holy  Father  accepted  what 
he  considered  the  lesser — he  suppressed  the  Society  of  Jesus 
by  the  brief,  Dominus  og  RedemptoVj  dated  July  21st,  1773. 
If  infidelity  raised  a  howl  of  triumph,  the  Catholic  world 
soon  felt  its  loss.f 

With  the  permission  of  Pius  YII.,  the  Society  was  re- 
vived in  Russia  in  1801 ;  and  six  years  later  in  the  United 
States.  In  August,  1814,  the  same  holy  Pontiff,  by  the 
bull,  SoUioitudo,  officially  restored  the  Society  of  Jesus 
throughout  the  Christian  world,  and  the  decree  was  hailed 


*  Abb6  Darras:  "General  History  of  the  Catholic  Church,' 
Vol.  IV. 

t  The  year  before  the  Society  was  suppressed  in  France,  the 
blasphemous  Voltaire  wrote  to  Helvetius:  *'  Once  that  wo 
have  destroyed  the  Jesuits,  we  shall  have  fine  sport  witli  Jesus 
Christ  I"  This  proves  that  they  were  regarded  as  the  sentinels  of 
the  Church.  In  treating  the  question  of  the  suppression  of  the 
Society  of  Jesus,  there  are  two  classes  of  writers  that  need  not 
bo  blindly  followed.  The  first  condenm  Clement  XIV. ;  and  hi 
its  eagerness  to  exonerate  the  children,  censures  the  father. 
The  second,  in  order  to  justify  the  father,  condemns  the  chil- 
dren. Neither  class  is  impartial.  The  Pope  was  placed  between 
two  evils.     He  was  forced,  as  it  were,  to  accept  one  of  thein. 


I 


The  Religious  Orders  of  Men, 


363 


with  joy  by  all  true  friends  of  the  Church  and  of  re- 
ligion.* 

The  uninterrupted  labors  of  the  Jesuit  Fathers  in  the 
United  States  since  the  foundation  of  the  Cathr  lie  colony 
of  Maryland,  form  a  bright  chapter  in  the  history  of  the 
American  Church.  For  nearly  two  centuries  and  a  half, 
they  have  toiled  here  as  none  else  have  done.  At  present, 
the  Society  has  establishments  and  churches  in  New  York, 
Boston,  Baltimore,  Washington,  D.C,  Milwaukee,  St.  Louis, 
Cincinnati,  Philadelphia,  New  Orleans,  Buffalo,  Chicago, 
San  Francisco,  and  many  other  cities.  Woodstock  College, 
in  Maryland,  is  the  House  of  Studies  and  chief  Theological 
Seminary  of  the  Society  in  the  United  States.  The  principal 
Novitiate  is  at  Frederick,  in  the  same  State. 

The  Society  of  Jesus  conducts  fourteen  Colleges  in  this 
Eepublic,  among  which  are  Georgetown  (founded  1791), 
the  most  ancient  and  venerable  Catholic  seat  of  learning  in 
the  country  ;  St.  John's  (1841),  N.Y.  city,  the  oldest  in  the 
Middle  States  ;  Holy  Cross  (1843),  Worcester,  Mass.,  the 
oldest  in  the  New  England  States  ;  St.  Xavier  (1831),  Cin- 
cinnati, the  oldest  in  the  IS'orthwest;  St.  Joseph's  (1830), 
near  Mobile,  the  oldest  on  the  Gulf  of  Mexico ;  St.  Louis 
University  (1829),  the  oldest  Catholic  University  in  the 
Mississippi  Valley;  and  Santa  Clara  (1861),  the  oldest  Catlf- 
oHc  College  on  the  Pacific  coast. 

Tlie  Society  in  the  United  States  is  divided  into  Provinces 

ae  wholo  matter  was  narrowed  down  to  a  question  of  policy. 
Would  it  be  better  to  sacriace  the  Jesuits,  or  to  see  France, 
Spain,  Portugal,  Naples,  Parma,  and  Venice,  erect  themselves  into 
sebismatic  kingdoms?  Clement  suppressed  the  Society  of  Jesus; 
and  the  members  proved  their  heroic  faith  and  virtue  by  calmly 
and  obediently  receiving  the  dreadful  blow.  "  But,"  in  the 
words  of  De  iionald,  "if  a  Pope  under  constraint  suppressed 
the  Jesuits,  a  Pope  in  freedom  re-established  them."  13y  fur  the 
b^^st  work  on  this  delicate  subject  is,  "  Clement  JCIII.,  and  Cle- 
ment XiF.,"  by  the  learned  and  eloquent  Father  de  Ravignan, 
S.J. 

*  Abbe  Dnrras. 


364  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

and  Missions,  each  of  which  has  its  own  distinct  Provincial 
or  Superior.  The  Provinces  are  Maryland  and  Missouri  • 
the  Missions,  New  York,  New  Orleans,  California,  New 
Mexicoj  and  Buffalo.  In  all  these,  there  are  over  thirty 
houses,  with  about  seven  hundred  and  fifty  members. 

The  success  attending  the  missions  and  retreats  given  by 
the  Jesuit  Fathers  is  something  as  consoling  as  it  is  remark- 
able. The  names  of  Father  De  Smet,  Father  John  McEl- 
roy.  Father  Arnold  Damen,  Father  F.  X.  "Weninger,  and 
others,  are  household  words  throughout  our  country. 

The  Society  of  Jesus  has  given  to  the  American  Chureli 
a  host  of  distinguished  men,  among  whom  were  Archbishop 
Carroll,  Archbishop  Neale,  and  Bishop  Fen  wick  of  Boston. 

Looking  at  the  past  and  present  of  this  celebrated  relig- 
ious body,  I  do  not  envy  the  man  who  can  view  it  with  un- 
moved indifference.  The  world  hates  it,  because  it  is  not 
of  the  world.*  Protestants  and  infidels  may  assail  the 
Jesuits  with  bitter  declamation  ;  but  no  intelligent  man  can 
study  the  history  of  the  Society  of  Jesus  without  being  con- 
vinced, in  his  soul,  that  if  genuine  apostles  ever  trod  this 
earth  since  The  Twelve^  they  were  Xavier,  Brebeuf,  Lalle- 
mant,  Daniel,  Gamier,  White,  Marquette,  Jogues,  and  De 
Smet.  It  has  added  to  the  calendar  of  the  Saints  sucli  shin- 
ing names  as  St.  Ignatius,  St.  Francis  Xavier,  St.  John 
Francis  Regis,  St.  Francis  Borgia,  St.  Louis  Gonzaga,  and 
St.  Stanislaus  Kostka.  It  has  given  to  the  Church  eight  hun- 
dred martyrs,  immolated  for  the  faith  ;  and  eight  thousand 
missionaries  whose  lives  were  consumed  in  labors  of  zeal 
among  infidels  and  savages.  To  Christian  literature,  in  its 
various  departments,  it  has  given  over  ten  thousand  autlioi"s.t 


♦  St.  Ignatius,  it  is  said,  prayed  that  his  children  might  always 
be  the  objects  of  trials  and  persecutions,  in  order  the  better  to 
resemble  our  Divine  Saviour. 

t  Father  Ricci,  a  distinguished  Jesuit,  was  the  first  European 
that  ever  wrote  in  the  Chinese  language.  He  gained  admission 
to  that  singular  country  in  the  year  1600.  In  its  language  he 
composed  works  on  morals,  religion,  and  science.  He  explained 


The  Religious  Orders  of  Men,  365 


The  Jesuits  are  the  greatest  students  in  the  history  of 
moclern  learning — ever  found  on  the  foremost  wave  of  ad- 
vancing science. 

The  pioneers  in  every  new  land,  the  Sons  of  Loyohi  seek 
to  save  souls  with  more  zeal  than  others  stnve  for  worldly 
fortiuics  and  the  high  places  of  the  earth.  And  whether  it 
be  Bourdalone  convertinga  King  of  France ;  or  Snarcz,  with 
his  vast  genius  and  telescopic  power,  searching  into  the  mys- 
terious heights  of  theology;  or  Bellarnjine  shattering  the 
sophisms  of  heresy  and  despotism ;  or  Xavier  penetrating  to 
legions  never  reached  by  the  legions  of  Alexander  ;  or  Bre- 
beiif  toiling  with  dauntless  heart  among  the  savages  of  Can- 
ada ;  or  Manpiette  discovering  the  great "  Father  of  Waters  "  ; 
or  Secclii  explonng  the  trackless  paths  of  the  stars — the 
Jesuit  is  ever  the  same  glorious  pioneer  of  religion,  science, 
and  discovery.  If  the  history  of  the  Society  of  Jesus  has 
been  checkered,  it  has  also  been  grand  beyond  praise.  If  in- 
tidel  Europe,  leagued,  procured  its  death,  it  nevertheless  rose 
agiiin.  Coming  fortli  from  the  tomb  of  suppression,  it  as- 
sumed a  new  life  ;  and  to-da,y,  with  undimmed  splendor,  it 
traverses  the  world  on  its  colossal  mission  of  enlightening 
and  doing  good. 


The    AuGlTf^TINIANH. 

(a.d.  1790.) 

This  Order,  known  as  *'  The  Hermits  of  St.  Augustine," 
was  instituted  by  the  illustrious  Doctor  of  the  Church  whose 
name  it  bears,  as  early  as  a.d.  388.*     It  is  the  most  ancient 

to  his  native  pupils  the  first  six  books  of  Euclid.  The  name  of 
Father  Ricci  is  still  remembered  with  veneration  in  China. 

Tile  Jesuit  missionaries  of  America  left  behind  them  diction- 
aries, grammars,  and  works  of  devotion  in  nearly  all  the  Indian 
tongues.  In  this  connection  may  be  cited  the  names  of  Bre- 
betif,  Chaumonot,  Rale,  White,  and  Bruyas. 

There  is  no  written  language  that  has  not  been  enriched  in 
some  way  by  the  labors  and  learning  of  the  Society  of  Jesus. 

*  Several  Catholic  writers  dispute  the  fact  that  the  Augustinians 
obtained  their  rule  from  the  great  Bishop  of  Hippo. 


isl 


i 


366  Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 

of  all  the  religious  Orders.  Originally  intended  as  a  con 
teinplative  body,  it  presented  this  character  till  the  thiitecntli 
century,  when  Pope  Innocent  ordered  the  members  to  kave 
their  hermitages  and  engage  in  the  management  of  parishes 
and  the  care  of  souls. 

Notwithstanding  the  suppression  of  several  hundred 
houses  of  the  Order  in  Europe  and  elsewhere,  it  has  Rtill 
many  convents  in  Ireland,  England,  Belgium,  Germany, 
Italy,  Mexico,  and  other  countries.  It  has  given  many  saints 
and  learned  men  to  the  Church.  Blessed  John  Traverse, 
O.S.A.,  was  the  first  Irishman  who  suffered  martyrdom  for 
the  Faith  under  the  infamous  Henry  VIII.*  The  celebrated 
Dr.  Doyle,  Bishoj)  of  Kildare  and  Leighlin,  and  the  learned 
and  eloquent  Father  Gahan  were  Augustinians. 

The  Order  was  introduced  into  the  United  States  in  179il 
In  that  year  Dr.  Matthew  Carr,  O.S.A.,  and  a  few  com- 
panions left  Dublin,  and  arrived  in  Philadelphia.  The  zeal- 
ous ])riest  immediately  began  the  erection  of  St.  AugustineV 
church,  which  was  solemnly  dedicated  in  1800.  The  labors 
of  Drs.  Carr,  Staunton,  Hurley,  Moriarty,  and  others  did 
much  to  advance  the  cause  of  religion  in  Philadelidiia. 
However,  in  1844,  the  heathen  mob  nished  on  their  cstali- 
lishment,  committing  their  precious  library,  rectory,  and 
church  to  the  flames.  On  the  blackened  walls  of  St.  An 
gustine's  church  there  remained  naught  save  the  inscription. 
"  The  Lord  Seeth."     It  was  afterwards  rebuilt. 

At  the  present  time,  the  Augustinians  have  thirteen  estali- 
lishments  in  the  United  States,  with  sixty  members,  of  wliom 
thirty-three  are  priests.     The  majority  are  natives  of  Ireland. 


*  John  Traverse,  D.D.,  O.S.  A.,  shed  his  blood  in  London,  1539. 
lie  had  written  a  book  defending  tlie  Papal  supremacy.  The 
royal  savage  was  indignant.  After  having  been  beheaded,  the 
holy  doctor's  body  was  thrown  in  the  flames,  when  lo!  the  f^acred 
fingers  that  had  written  so  well  in  God's  cause  would  not  burn- 
n cither  the  thumb,  nor  forefinger,  nor  middle  one.  These  had 
held  the  pen.  And  in  vain  did  the  wretched  headsman  try  to  de- 
fitroy  them  !    See  Abbe  McGeoghegan's  "History  of  Ireland." 


The  Religious  Orders  of  Men,  367 


or  Irish-Americans.  (See  Table  of  Statist ii-n,  p.  3S4.)  The 
inotlier-houHe  for  this  country  is  tlie  Monastery  of  St. 
Tlioiuas  of  Villanova,  at  Viilanova,  Pa.  Tlie  Order  cou- 
(liii'ts  Villanova  College,  situated  at  the  monastery,  lie- 
sides  conducting  this  institution,  which  possesses  the  rank 
and  jirivileges  of  a  university,  the  Fathers  have  the  direction 
of  twenty  churches  in  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey,  New 
York,  and  Massacl'iisetts.  The  labors  of  the  Augustinians 
in  our  liepublic  for  religion  and  education,  during  the  last 
ci'dity-five  years,  cannot  be  told  in  brief  notice;  but  it  is 
written  in  God's  histoiy,  where  nothing  is  forgotten. 


The  Society  of  St.  Sulpice. 
(a.d.  1791.) 

Tlie  Society  of  St.  Sulpice  was  founded  in  France,  in 
lt)42,  l)y  tlie  Abbd  John  James  Olier.  Its  chief  object  is 
the  direction  of  ecclesiastical  seminaries,  the  training  of 
yoiiiii;  priests.  France,  Canada,  and  the  United  States  are 
e([ii;illy  iiidel)ted  to  the  zeal,  learning,  and  devotion  of  the 
Suliiilians.  Some  of  the  greatest  ecclesiastics  tliat  Franco 
lias  produced  were  their  pupils.  The  same  may  be  said 
of  America.  The  illustrious  Fenelon  at  his  death  de- 
clared tliat  he  knew  nothing  better  or  holier  than  the  So- 
ciety of  St.  Sulpice.  Its  members  conduct  the  most  famous 
seminary  in  France,  the  greatest  in  Canada,  and  the  most 
venerable  in  onr  own  country. 

The  project  of  forming  a  Sulpitian  establishment  in  the 
riiited  States  is  due  in  the  first  instance  to  the  wise  fore- 
tiiouj^ht  of  Rev.  Mr.  Emery,  Superior-General  of  the  Society 
at  the  period  of  the  French  Kevolution.  The  signs  of  the 
times  pointed  to  the  destruction  of  religious  institutions,  lie 
otfered  to  found  a  seminary  in  the  United  States,  and  IJisliop 
Carroll  gladly  accepted  the  proposition.  AVith  Ecv.  Mr. 
Xiigot  as  Superior,  a  band  sailed  for  our  country,  and  landed 
at  Baltimore  in  the  summer  of  1 701.  ''  When  I  returned  from 


3 68         Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

Boston,  in  July,"  writes  Dr.  Carroll,  "I  had  the  happim*^ 
of  finding  here  M.  Nagot,  with  his  company  from  St.  Sul- 
pice  ;  himself  and  three  other  priests  belonging  to  the  esul). 
lishment,  namely,  a  procurator,  two  professors,  and  five  Keini- 
narians."  St.  Mary's  Seminary,  at  Baltimore,  was  at  oikv 
founded.  It  grew  and  flourished.  For  eighty-five  years  it 
has  continued  its  excellent  work. 

The  Sulpitians  conduct  two  institutions  in  the  United 
States :  (1)  Theological  Seminary  of  St.  Sulpice  and  St.  Mary's 
University,  Baltimore.  (2)  St.  Charles'  College,  near  iialti- 
more,  the  classical  department  of  St.  Mary's  University.  The 
Society  of  St.  Sulpice  has  given  to  the  American  Church 
such  distinguished  prelates  and  ecclesiastics  as  Flaget,  Mare- 
chal.  Brute,  Dubois,  Duboiu'g,  Nagot,  Badin,  liichard,  and 
Fredet. 

Tub  Trappists. 
(a.d.  1805.) 

The  Order  of  La  Trappe  is  the  most  austere  in  the  Church. 
It  is  a  reformed  branch  of  the  Cistercians,  the  latter  Ijeing 
founded  by  St.  Robert,  in  France,  a.d.  1098.  St.  Rol)crt 
adopted  the  rule  of  St.  Benedict,  and  established  the  lioiise 
of  (Jiteaux — hence  the  name  Cistercian.  But,  in  1004,  when 
the  Abbe  Kance  entered  this  Order,  and  reformed  the  con- 
vent of  La  Trappe,  of  which  he  was  Superior,  the  (Cister- 
cians began  to  be  called  Trappists,  from  the  name  of  rlic  re- 
formed house.  During  the  storms  of  the  Frencli  Rovohi- 
tion  the  ancient  liouse  of  Citeaux  was  destroyed.  La  Trappo 
then  became  the  mother-house  of  the  most  numerous  con- 
gregation of  Cistercians,  known  at  present  everywhere  uiukr 
the  name  of  Trappiats, 

The  Trappists  were  introduced  into  the  United  States,  in 
1805,  by  Father  Urban  Guillet,  whose  colony  finally  settled 
in  Nova  Scotia.  The  next  band  arrived  under  the  gnichiiice 
of  Father  Eutropius,  in  December,  1848 ;  and  began  the  elec- 
tion of  their  present  flourishing  Abbey  of  our  Lady  of  La 
Trappe,  Gethsemani,  Nelson  County,  Kentucky. 


The  Religious  Orders  of  Men. 


369 


"  What  18  a  Trappist  ? "  asV s  Cardinal  Donnct.  "  A  man," 
he  answers,  "  like  all  the  rest  of  us,  with  the  exception,  how- 
ever, that  ho  18  more  humble,  more  ahslemiou;^,  loses  less 
time  in  sleep,  and  for  these  reasons  is  considerably  on.  snpo- 
riur.  lie  sleeps  little,  cats  little,  and  does  not  talk  at  all. 
lie  is  not  only  a  saint,  but  also  a  skillful  farmer." 

"The  Trappist  rises  every  morning  at  two  o'clock,  on 
Suiulays  at  one,  and  on  great  festivals  at  midnight.  Prayer 
and  the  labor  of  his  hands  divide  between  them  all  his  time 
till  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening,  his  hour  of  retiring  to  rest." 

"  From  Easter  till  the  4th  of  September,  the  Trappi  <  eats 
two  meals  a  day  ;  the  first  at  half-past  eleven  in  the  morn- 
injj,  the  second  at  six  in  the  evening.  During  a^l  he  r<.st  of 
the  year  he  makes  but  one  repast,  which  takes  place  at  hult- 
past  two  o'cl  (!  P.M.,  and  in  Lent  at  four.  Ar<l  I. c  de- 
votes \m\  one-half  hour  to  this  only  meal."  *  Thus  it  will 
be  seen  tiiat  the  Trappist  is  a  man  of  work,  a  sound,  healthy 
man,  who  labors  from  the  rising  to  the  setting  of  the  sun.f 

"No  kind  of  trades  and  professions," :{:  writes  the  Right 
Rev.  Abbot  Benedict,  "  being  excluded  from  the  cloisters  of 
La  Trappe,  the  Order  receives  the  learned  and  the  ignorant, 
the  rich  and  the  poor,  the  old  and  the  young ;  in  a  word, 
fcvervone,  who  has  a  sincere  desire  to  embrace  a  life  of  soli- 
tude  and  retirement,  and  is  willing  and  able  to  imitate  Jesus 


♦Address  at  an  Agricultural  Festival  in  France. 

t  Yet  Trappists,  generally,  live  very  long.  Dr.  Ducaisne,  a  dis- 
tinguished French  physician,  some  time  ago.  published  an  article 
in  Im  France  on  the  subject  of  abstinence,  in  which  he  instances 
the  Trappist  monks  as  being  so  remarkable  for  longevity  and 
free(.  ira  from  disease.  So  far  from  this  hard-fare,  shortening 
life,  he  says  it  is  a  source  of  health,  particularly  when  accompa- 
nied by  plenty  of  open-air  labor  and  pious  exercises.  During  a 
residence  of  twenty-eight  years,  the  brother-physician  of  La 
(jrande  Trappe,  in  France,  has  not  known  one  case  of  apoplexy, 
aneurism,  dropsy,  gout,  or  cancer.  Even  when  frightful  epi- 
(lamios  have  ravaged  the  neighboring  country,  they  have  invari- 
^  ably  stopped  at  the  gates  of  the  old  Abbey. 

t  Letter  to  the  author. 
24 


I  i 


370  Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 

obedient  to  "Mary  and  Joseph,  and  working  m  the  humble 
fihop  of  his  foster  father.  Hence,  clergymen,  attorneys,  doc- 
tors,  soldiers,  seamen,  carpontei's,  masons,  laborers,  fanners 
and  otliei-8  are  found  enrolled  in  the  following  classes :  1st. 
Choir  Religious ;  2d.  Lay  Brothers ;  3d.  Oblates ;  4th.  Familiar 
Brothers ;  5th.  Boarders.  Each  of  these  iive  divisions  has  a 
rule  appropriate  to  .;he  courage  and  spirit  of  sacrilice  of  its 
members." 

This  severe  and  highly  useful  Order  has  two  establish- 
ments in  the  United  States :  The  Ahheij  of  Our  Lady  of  La 
Trappy  in  Kentucky,  Eight  Rev.  M.  Benedict,  Abbot ;  and 
New  Melleray  Ahhey  .in  Iowa,  Right  Rev.  Ephram  Mc- 
Donald, Abbot.  The  members  number  forty-five,  and  are 
chiefly  French  and  Irish.  The  Catholic  Church  possesses 
no  holier  children,  nor  the  American  Republic  abler  farm. 
ers  than  the  Trappists — saintly  men,  kind,  and  charitable 
to  others,  austere  only  towards  themselves ! 


CONGEEGATION  OF   THE  MiSSION. 
(a.d.  1816.) 

The  Priests  of  the  Congregation  of  the  Mission*  were 
founded  in  France  by  St.  Vincent  de  Paul,  the  great  Apostle 
of  Charity  in  1G25.  Their  institute  was  confirmed  by  Pope 
Urban  YIII.  in  1632.  The  Fathers  of  this  Congregation  are 
secular  priests  who,  after  two  years'  probation,  make  simple 
vows  of  poverty,  chastity,  obedience,  and  stability.  Tliev 
devote  themselves  to  labor,  in  the  first  place  for  their  own 
perfection  ;  secondly,  for  the  salvation  of  the  poor  by  means 
of  missions ;  and,  thirdly,  in  training  up  clergymen  for  the 
ministry  of  the  filtar,  and  the  care  of  souls. 

When  Bishop  Dubourg,  of  New  Orleans,  was  consecrated 


*  From  the  priory  of  St.  Lazarus,  Paris,  which  was,  in  early 
times,  the  chief  liouso  of  the  Congregation,  the  Fathers  are 
sometimes  called  Lazarists.  The  French  Revolutionists  dispo8- 
BBfised  them  of  this  houee  in  1792. 


The  Religious  Orders  of  Men,  371 


5t  "Rome  in  1815,  lie  obtained  for  his  diocese  somo'members 
of  this  pious  Congregation  belonging  to  the  Roman  province. 
The  following  year  tlie  b'ttlc  band  landed  on  our  shores. 
It  consisted  of  four — Ilev.  Felix  D'Andreis,  CM.,  Superior ; 
Rev.  Joseph  Rosati,  CM.,  afterwards  first  bishop  of  St. 
Louis,  and  two  others.  St.  Mary's  Seminary,*  Barrens, 
Perry  Co.,  Missouri,  was  for  a  long  time  the  head-qnarters 
of  the  Fathers.  It  is  the  oldest  of  their  establishments  in 
the  United  States,  its  foundation  dating  from  1818.  At 
first  the  Mississippi  Valley  was  the  scene  of  the  zealous 
labors  of  the  Sons  of  St.  Vincent  ;  but,  their  numbers  in- 
creasing, tliey  gradually  extended  the  field  of  their  useful- 
ness from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific. 

At  the  present  writing,  the  Fathers  of  the  Congregation 
have  thirteen  establishments,  the  members  numbering  over 
bcventy-four  priests,  twenty-eight  students,  and  forty  lay 
brothcvs.  They  have  churches  in  St.  Louis,  Kew  Orleans, 
Brooklyn,  Philadelphia,  and  other  large  cities.  Three  Fath- 
ers are  constantly  engaged  in  giving  missions  throughout 
the  country.  The  Congregation  conducts  five  colleges,  viz. : 
St.  Vincent's  Seminary  and  College,  Cape  Girardeau,  Mo. ; 
Seminary  of  our  Lady  of  Angels,  Niagara,  N.  Y. ;  St.  John 
the  I^aptist's  Seminary  and  College,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ;  St. 
Vincent's  College,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  and  Germantown  Day 
College,  Pa.  The  members  of  the  Congregation  are  chiefly 
Americans  and  Irish. 

It  has  given  several  distinguished  prelates  to  the  Amer- 

♦  The  early  Seminary  at  the  Barrens  is  thus  described  :  "It 
consLstod  of  several  small  log-houscgi.  In  the  largest  cabin,  one 
story  in  height,  was  the  university.  In  the  northwest  corner 
of  the  building  was  the  theology  department  for  study  and  lec- 
tures; in  the  northeast  corner  was  the  room  for  phiiosophy  and 
general  literature;  the  southwest  corner  was  used  for  a  tailor's 
eliop,  and  the  southeast  for  a  shoeniakerV  department. — Deu- 
TUKUs  "Life  and  Times  of  Bishop  Timon." 

Such  was  the  only  residence  of  the  Fathers  of  the  Mission, 
little  more  than  half  a  century  ago!  Here,  Uosati,  Odin,  Timon, 
and  other  great  men  spent  many  a  day. 


372  Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 

ican  Church,  among  others  Drs.  Rosaci,  Tiroon,  De  Neckere 
Ryan,  Amat,  and  Most  Rev.  Dr.  Lynch,  present  Archbishop 
of  TcTronto,  Canada.  The  Mother-House  in  the  United 
States  is  St.  Vincent's  Seminary,  Germantown,  Pa.,  wliidi 
is  also  the  head-quarters  of  the  Very  Rev.  Father  Visitor. 
The  Superior-General  resides  in  Paris.*  For  sixty  yeai-s 
the  Sons  of  St.  Vincent  have  labored  in  our  Republic,  in- 
structing the  ignorant,  converting  sinners,  and  training  up 
yo'mg  ministers  of  God.  They  have  walked  in  the  foot- 
steps of  their  illustrious  Founder ;  and  Catholicity,  society, 
and  the  nation  at  large  are  their  debtors. 


Congregation  of  the  Most  Holy  Redeemer. 

(a.d.  1832.) 

The  Redemptorists,  or  Priests  of  the  Congregation  of  the 
Most  Holy  Redeemer,  were  founded  by  the  renowned  saint, 
writer,  and  theologian,  St.  Alphonsus  M.  de  Liguori,  a  native 
of  Italy,  in  1732.  The  chief  object  of  their  Institute  is  to 
give  missions,  spiritual  exercises,  and  to  save  the  most  des- 
titute souls. 

In  June,  1832,  one  hundred  years  after  the  Congregation 
was  founded,  Rev.  F.  Tscheuheus,  C.SS.R.,  and  two  other 
Fathers  from  Austria,  landed  on  our  shores.  They  began  their 
labors  in  Baltimore.  The  German  Catholic  population,  which 
was  then  rapidly  increasing,  was  sadly  in  need  of  priests  of 
their  own  nationality.  Here  was  a  vast  field  for  the  Sons 
of  St.  Liguori,  and  they  labored  in  it  assiduously.  As  the 
Fathers  grew  in  numbers,  the  sphere  of  their  zeal  was  not 
confined  to  one  nationality — it  extended  to  all. 

At  present,  the  Redemptorists  have  sixteen  houses  in  the 
United  States,  with  one  hundred  and  thirty  priests  and  thirty- 
four  professed  students.     They  have  flourishing  cliurches 


*  For  statistics  of  tho  Congregation  in  our  country,  and  other 
valuabli  information,  tlio  autlior  is  indebted  to  the  courlt'syof 
Very  Rev.  J.  Rolando,  CM.,  Visitor  for  the  United  States. 


The  Religious  Orders  of  Men.  373 

and  pari8lie8  in  Baltimore,  St.  Louis,  New  York,  Philadel- 
phia, Kew  Orleans,  and  other  important  cities.  The  House 
of  Studies  for  the  training  of  members  for  the  Congrega- 
tion is  at  Ik'hester,  Maryland.  The  majority  of  the  Fathers 
are  natives  of  Germany  ;  but  a  considerable  number  are 
Americans  and  Irish.  Two  distinct  provinces  were  recently 
established  by  a  decree  of  November  9th,  1875,  namely,  Bal- 
timore, Very  Rev.  Jos.  Ilelmpraecht,  C.SS.R.,  Provincial ; 
St.  Louis,  Very  Rev.  Nicholas  Jaeckel,  C.SS.R.,  Provincial. 
The  late  learned  Bishop  Neumann,  of  Philadelphia,  was  a 
Kedemptorist.  Bishop  Gross,  of  Savannah,  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  this  Congregation.  For  nearly  half  a  century  the 
Sons  of  St.  Liguori,  have  zealously  toiled  for  the  Faith  in 
our  country,  and  their  labors  have  not  been  in  vain. 


CONGKEGATION   OF   THE   IIoi.Y   CrOSS. 

(a.d.  1841.) 

The  Congregation  of  the  Holy  Cross  originated  in  France 
immediately  after  the  Revolution,  which  desolated  that 
country  towards  the  close  of  the  last  ceutury.  The  schools 
for  Ciiristian  education  had  been  destroyed.  The  order  of 
the  Holy  Cross  was  intended  to  supply  this  urgent  want. 
At  first,  it  was  composed  only  of  brothers ;  later  on,  in 
1837,  the  Superior,  Yery  Rev.  B.  Morcau,  opened  the  doors 
of  the  Congregation  to  ecclesiastical  candidates ;  and,  after 
twenty  years  of  successful  development,  it  was  approved  by 
the  Holy  See  as  a  teaching  body,  composed  of  priests  and 
brothers,  devoting  their  energies  and  their  lives  to  educa- 
tional pursuits  in  seminaries,  colleges,  and  country  schools. 
Very  soon  the  new  Community  niulti])licd.  Their  houses 
in  France  alone  reached,  in  a  short  time,  as  high  r  a  umber 
as  fifty-seven. 

In  ISil,  Father  Sorin,  C.S.C.,  leaving  France,  accompanied 
by  a  few  brothers,  crossed  the  Atlantic,  and  opened  an  estab- 
hshment  at  Vincennes,  Indiana.  The  following  year  tho 
zealous  priest  purchased  some  land  at  a  place  then  called  St, 


374  Catholicity  in  the  U^tited  States, 

Mary  of  the  Ldkes^  near  South  Bend,  Indiana.  It  is  no\7 
well-known  as  Notre  Dame^  and  on  it  stands  the  flouiish- 
ing  University  of  the  same  name. 

At  present,  the  Congregation  of  the  Holy  Cro?s  possesses 
a  Province  and  a  Vice-Province  in  the  United  States.  The 
Province  has  its  liead-quarters  at  Notre  Dame,  with  nineteen 
establishments  in  Indiana,  Illinois,  Wisconsin,  Ohio,  and 
Texas.  It  counts  two  hundred  and  eight  members,  chiefly 
Irish,  French,  and  German.  The  Yice-Province  is  in  tlie 
South,  with  head-quarters  at  New  Orleans.  Among  the  col- 
leges  directed  by  the  Congregation  are  Notre  Dame  Univer- 
sity, which  is  one  of  the  very  first  institutions  of  learning  in 
the  country ;  St.  Mary's  University,  Galveston,  Texas;  and 
the  College  of  the  Sacred  Heart,  "Watertown,  Wis. 

Thus  the  Very  Rev.  Father  Sorin's  small  commencement 
has  multiplied  more  than  a  hundred-fold.  God  blessed  it. 
The  members  of  the  Congregation  of  the  Holy  Cross  are 
especially  noted  for  their  activity  and  devotedness.  They 
publish  at  Notre  Dame,  the  only  periodical  in  the  world 
entirely  devoted  to  the  most  Blessed  Virgin — "  The  Ave 
Maria."  Their  labors  in  the  cause  of  education  have  been 
attended  with  more  than  success.  And  the  Catholic  Church 
in  the  Mississippi  Valley  counts  no  more  earnest,  learned 
laborious,  and  faitlif ul  sons  than  the  Fathers  and  Brothers 
of  the  Holy  Cross. 


The  Fathers  of  Meect. 
(a.d.  1842.) 

The  Fathers  of  Mercy  were  founded  in  France  by  the 
Rev.  J.  B.  Rauzan,  S.P.M.,  in  1806.  Missions  are  the  chief 
object  of  the  Society.  In  1842,  the  Right  Rev.  Faubiu- 
Janson,  S.P.M.,  once  the  learned  and  eloquent  Bishop  of 
Nancy,  came  to  the  United  States,  and  gave  missions  to  the 
French  people  from  Canada  to  New  Orleans.  By  his  zeal 
and  generosity,  New  York  City  soon  beheld  its  first  French 


MB 


The  Religious  Orders  of  Men.  375 

Catholic  Clnircli,  St.  Vincent  de  PauPs.  From  1842  till  liia 
death,  in  1874,  the  good  Father  Lafont,  S.P.M.,  was  pastor  of 
this  church.  Dr.  Fanbin-Janson  may  be  regarded  as  the  orig- 
inator of  missions  in  this  country.  The  Fathers  of  Mercy 
liave  four  establishments,  two  in  New  York  City,  and  two 
in  Brooklyn,  counting  in  all  nine  members.  They  conduct 
St.  Louis  College,  New  York. 


The  Congeegation  of  the  Most  Pjrecious  Blood. 

(a.d.  1844.) 

This  congregation  of  priests  was  founded  by  the  venera- 
ble Caspar  Bufalo,  who  died  in  1837.  It  was  introduced  into 
the  United  States  in  1844,  by  the  Rev.  F.  de  Sales  Brun- 
ner,  and  possesses  several  convents  and  seminaries  in  Ohio 
and  California.* 


The  BENEDicnNES. 
•  (a.d.  1846.) 

This  renowned  Order  was  founded  by  the  Patriarch  of 
the  western  monks,  the  great  St.  Benedict,  who  was  born 
in  Italy  in  480,  and  died  in  543.  Its  history  is  almost  the 
history  of  religion,  literature,  and  civilization  in  Europe,  for 
more  than  a  thousand  years.  "With  scarcely  an  exception, 
the  great  intellectual  lights  of  the  early  and  middle  ages 
were  Benedictines.  Bede,  Alcuin,  Lanfranc,  Anselm  were 
^ons  of  St.  Benedict.  Many  of  the  most  celebrated  scholars 
of  modem  timos  were  the  same.  A  mere  catalogue  of  the 
names  of  distiuicuished  Benedictine  saints  and  authors  would 
itself  constitute  a  large  volume. 

Out  of  the  two  hundred  and  fifty-nine  successors  of  St. 
Peter  who  have  occupied  the  Papal  Chair,  it  is  remarkable 
that  no  less  than  forty-nine  were  members  of  the  Order  of 


*  The  author  has  not  been  able  to  obtain  the  statistics  of  this 
Congregation. 


i$ 


37^  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

St.  Benedict.  The  first  of  these,  elevated  to  the  Holy  See 
was  Benedict  1.,  in  a.d.  573 ;  and  among  the  number  wc 
find  the  illustrious  names  of  Gregoiy  the  Great,  Innocent 
II.,  Gregory  VII.,  and  Benedict  XIY.  No  less  than  tweiitv- 
three  Popes  of  this  Order  have  been  canonized,  btvidc, 
fourteen  who  have  been  beatified.  In  the  present  century, 
the  Benedictines  have  supplied  the  Holy  See  with  two  Popes 
— Pins  VII.,  who  was  exiled  by  Napoleon,  and  Gregory 
XVI.,  who  died  in  184G.  Indeed,  it  is  not  a  little  singular 
that  out  of  the  eighteen  centuries  and  more  during  wbicli 
the  Catholic  Church  has  existed  in  the  world,  she  has  been 
no  less  than  tlu-ee  hundred  and  thirty-seven  years  under  the 
rule  of  BeTiedictine  Pontiffs. 

The  chief  object  of  this  ancient  Order  is  the  glorification 
of  God  by  a  regular  and  solemn  divine  service,  day  and  night ; 
also  literature,  agriculture,  and  the  education  ( f  youth.* 
The  Benedictines  were  introduced  into  the  United  States 
in  1846,  by  the  present  Abbot- General,  Right  Rev.  Bene- 
dict Wimmer,  O.S.B.,  who  leaving  the  Abbey  of  Metten,  in 
Bavaria,  founded  St.  Vincent's  Abbey,  Westraoreiand  coun- 
ty, Pennsylvania.  During  the  last  thirty  years  the  Bene- 
dictines have  increased  quite  rapidly  in  our  country ;  and 
their  untiring  zeal  in  the  cause  of  religion  and  education 
needs  no  labored  eulogium. 

Their  present  chief  establishments  consist  of  two  Abbeys, 
one  in  Pennsylvania,  the  other  in  Indiana.  The  Superior 
of  each  Abbey  is  styled  Abbot,  and  has  the  title  of  Right 
Reverend.  There  are  nine  Priories  in  Kansas,  New  Jersey, 
Maryland,  Pennsylvania,  and  Minnesota  ;  and  about  sixteen 
stations  in  various  States.  The  Order  conducts  four  collcires, 
the  principal  of  which  is  St.  Vincent's,  attached  to  tlio 
Abbey  in  Peimsvlvania.  The  relii^ious  members  of  the  vaii- 
ous  houses  numl)er  about  three  hundred,  namely,  one  hun- 

*  The  Holy  Rule  of  St.  Benedict  is  the  most  famous  of  all 
monastic  rules.  The  great  Cosmos  of  Medicis  and  other  wise 
legislators  frequently  read  it  in  order  to  loavn  the  maxims  of 
perfect  government.    See  Butler's  "  Lives  of  the  Saints." 


The  Religious  Orders  of  Men.  ^yy 

dred  and  ten  priests,  forty-eight  clerics,  nine  novices,  and 
about  one  hundred  and  thirty  lay  brothers.  In  regard  to 
nationality,  they  are  mostly,  Germans,  Americans,  and  Irish.* 
The  sons  of  St.  Benedict  have  a  bright  future  before  them 
in  our  Republic ;  and  as  tliey  shed  a  lustre  on  other  coun- 
tries in  other  days,  so  may  the  land  of  Washington  and  Car- 
roll reflect  their  glories — be  blessed  by  their  prayers — en- 
lightened by  their  teachings. 


The  Bkothees  of  the  Christian  Schools, 
(a.d.  1S46.) 

The  Institute  of  the  Brothers  of  the  Christian  Schools 
was  founded  in  France,  in  1684,  by  the  Venerable  Jean 
Baptiste  de  la  Salle,  Doctor  of  Divinity  and  Canon  of 
Rheinis.  Its  chief  object  is  the  Christian  education  of  youth, 
especially  the  children  of  the  poor.  In  the  beginning,  the 
holy  Founder  and  his  Society  met  with  many  difficulties. 
But  Heaven  blessed  his  work.  It  stood  the  rude  shocks  of 
time.  The  Eules  of  the  Brothers  were  approved  by  Bene- 
dict XIII.  in  1725,  and  soon  the  Order  spread  over  France. 
It  had  reached  the  zenith  of  its  first  usefulness,  when  the 
lierce  storms  of  the  French  Bevolution  scattered  it  like  all 
other  religious  communities.  Restored  by  i!^apoleon  in  1802, 
it  again  began  its  great  mission.  The  present  century  has 
witnessed  the  marvelous  growth  of  this  Institute,  so  that  its 
members  are  now  spread  over  the  four  quarters  of  our  globe. 

The  Christian  Brothers  are  religious  men  who  make  the 
four  vows  of  poverty,  chastity,  obedience,  and  stability.  At 
first,  the  vows  are  made  for  only  one  year ;  then,  for  three 
years ;  and,  finally,  for  life.  Their  Rules  and  Constitutions 
are  marked  by  simplicity,  wisdom,  and  a  great  knowledge  of 
the  human  heart.  The  highest  ambition  of  the  Christian 
Brother  is  to  become  a  perfect  religious  and  an  accomplished 
teacher — a  man  whose  bright  example,  knowledge,  and  in- 


*  Letter  of  Right  Rev.  Abbot  Wimmer,  O.S.B.,  to  the  author. 


■    fi 
I 


1  1 

Ml 


378  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

Btruction  shall  impress  youth,  and  fit  them  for  this  world  and 
the  next.  He  cannot  aspire  to  the  ecclesiastical  state.  He 
must  be  contented  and  happy  in  his  own  modest,  but  sublime 
sphere. 

The  first  band  of  this  great  Institute  of  popular  religious 
educators  came  to  the  United  States  at  the  invitation  of  Most 
Rev.  Dr.  Eccleston,  Archbishop  of  Baltimore,  in  1846.  They 
opened  an  establishment  at  Calvert  Hall,  Baltimore.  Two 
years  later  the  Rev.  AnnetLafont,  S.P.M.,  introduced  a  few 
Brothers  to  New  York  City.  The  astonishing  development 
of  these  grains  of  mustard-seed  in  this  Republic  must  be 
learned  in  a  few  paragraphs. 

At  present,  the  Christian  Brothers  direct  ten  colleges, 
namely,  Manhattan  College,  New  York  City ;  Rock  Hill 
College,  near  Baltimore  ;  College  of  the  Christian  Brothers, 
St.  Louis,  Mo.;  St.  Mary's  College  and  College  of  the  Sacred 
Heart,  San  Francisco,  Cal.;  La  Salle  College,  Philadelphia ; 
St.  Joseph's  College,  Buffalo,  N.  Y.;  College  of  the  Chris- 
tian Brothers,  Mem.phis,  Tenn.;  St.  John's  College,  Prairie 
du  Chien,  Wis.;  and  St.  Michael's  College,  Sante  Fe,  New 
Mexico. 

They  conduct  parish  schools  and  academies  in  New  York 
City,  St.  Louis,  Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  Albany,  Brooklyn, 
Buffalo,  Chicago,  Troy,  and  several  other  important  cities. 
Their  pupils  in  the  United  States  number  over  26,000. 
Tliereare  forty-nine  establishments  and  seven  hundred  Chris- 
tian Brothers  in  our  country — and  all  this  is  the  growth  of 
little  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century !  The  majority  of 
the  younger  members  of  the  Institute  are  Americans ;  but 
many  are  Irish,  French,  and  Germans — the  Irish  being  the 
most  numerous. 

While  the  chief  object  of  the  Institute  is  "  the  edu:*ation 
of  youth  in  a  Cliristian  manner,  especially  the  children  of 
mechanics  and  the  poor,"  nevertheless,  other  works  of  charity 
come  within  the  sphere  of  its  usefulness.  The  Brothere 
have  charge  of  seven  orphan  asylums.  Among  these  is  the 
Catholic  Protectory  at  Westchester,  N.  Y.,  an  institution 
which  has  act  its  e^ual  on  the  American  contineit. 


The  Religious  Orders  of  Men.  379 


Before  them,  the  Sons  of  La  Salle  have  a  grand  mission. 
The  Christian  education  of  the  Catholiu  masses  in  our  cities 
depends  largely  on  their  zeal.  Tiie  children  of  laborers  and 
the  poor  must  be  instructed — saved.  Who  more  fit  for  this 
noble  work  than  the  Christian  Brothers 'i  Let  the  glorious 
record  of  two  centuries  answer !  France  knows  the  value  of 
the  Brothers ;  other  lands  have  listened  to  their  lessons ;  and 
thousands  of  our  own  time  and  country  bless  them  as  their 
revered  teachers  and  benefactors.  In  the  present  state  of 
primary  education  in  this  Republic,  they  are  the  hope  of 
society,  the  hope  of  the  Church.  Save  the  poor  hoy — in- 
etruct  him — bring  him  up  in  the  holy  and  cherished  faith  of 
his  fathers — and  the  man  is  safe !  The  city  without  Chris- 
tian schools  is  a  city  sadly  in  need  of  them. 

There  are  few  great  men  to  whom  the  world  is  more  in- 
debted than  to  the  illustrious  and  Venerable  do  la  Salle.  He 
wa3  truly  the  Apostle  of  youth.  He  originated  a  system  of 
popular  education  that  challenges  comparison,  and  compels 
admiration.  He  was  the  founder  of  Normal  schools.  The 
simultaneous  method  of  teaching  was  unknown  before  his 
day.  Not  only  did  his  genius  and  industry  supply  these, 
but  the  learned  and  saintly  priest  left  behind  him  thousands 
of  disciples  animated  by  his  own  spirit,  and  trained  to  carry 
out  his  vast  work.  No  educated  person  can  read  the  Rules 
of  the  Christian  Brothers^  the  Duty  of  a  Christian  towards 
God^  and  those  masterpieces  of  educational  wisdom  and 
legislation,  the  Twelve  Virtues  of  a  good  Master,  and  the 
Government  of  the  Christian  Schools,  without  being  con- 
vinced that  the  Venerable  de  la  Salle  was  one  of  the  very 
greatest  educators  and  benefactors  that  the  world  has  ever 
Been. 

"  In  the  streets  of  the  city,  where  laughter  is  loud, 
Where  mammon  smiles  down  on  his  worshipping  crowd, 
Where  the  footsteps  fall  fast  as  the  falling  of  rain, 
The  sad  and  the  sinful,  the  vile  and  the  vain; 
In  the  streets  of  the  city  what  form  do  we  meet, 


mm 


3 So         Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

With  long  sable  robe  flowing  free  to  his  feet, 
Who  is  it  that  moves  through  the  wondering  mall  ? 
'Tis  our  teacher — a  eon  of  the  tainted  La  Salle  1 "  ♦ 


Missionary  Oblates  of  Maky  Immacclate. 

(a.i).  1848.) 

This  Order  of  Missionary  Priests  was  fouiuled  in  1816, 
by  Mgr.  Joseph  Cliarles  de  ]\razenod,  who  died  Bishop  of 
Marseilles.  It  wag  approved  by  Pope  Leo  XII.,  in  1825. 
The  Fathers  seek  to  carry  out  the  object  of  their  soeiety 
by  giving  missions  and  retreats  among  the  poor,  the  igno- 
rant, and  the  most  abandoned  classes  ;  and  also  by  the  work 
of  education  in  clerical  seminaries  and  colleges.  Tiiej  first 
entered  the  United  States  in  184:8,  when  Father  Telmon, 
O.M.I.,  and  two  others  were  sent  from  Canada  to  take 
charge  of  the  Seminary  at  Pittsburg,  Pa.  At  present, 
these  zealous  missionaries  number  thirty-five,  with  a  few 
lay  brothers,  and  possess  sevea  houses  in  our  country.  They 
conduct  one  college  at  Brownsville,  Texas,  and  have  an 
Indian  school  and  five  Indian  missions  in  Washington 
Teri'itory.     The  members  are  principally  French  and  Irish. 


♦  The  Institute  of  the  Christian  Brothers  numbers  over  10,000 
members.  The  Superior-General  resides  in  Paris.  The  present 
General  is  Rev.  Brother  Irlide,  who  was  elected  in  1875.  The 
Assistant-General  for  America  is  Rev.  Brother  Patrick.  Besides, 
America  is  divided  into  four  provinces — New  York,  St.  Louis, 
Canada,  apd  Ecuador,  each  having  its  Visitor,  or  Provincial, 
who  frequently  visits  the  houses  and  examines  the  pupils.  The 
province  of  Canada  was  established  in  1837,  and,  at  present, 
numbers  25  houses,  288  brothers,  41  schools,  and  2  academies,  with 
12,000  pupils. 

The  province  of  Ecuador,  Soiith  America,  has  9  houses,  60 
brothers,  10  schools,  1  protectory,  or  industrial  school,  and 
2,700  pupils. 

For  the  foregoing  statistics  I  am  indebted  tq  tl^e  kind  courtesy 
of  Rev.  Brother  Paulian,  President  of  Manhattan  College,  and 
Provincial  Visitor  of  the  New  York  District. 


The  Religious  Orders  of  Men,  38 1 

Broth EK8  of  Mart, 
(a.d.  1849.) 

The  Erotliers  of  Mary  fonn  a  religioua  institute  founded 
bv  Kev.  William  Joseph  Clieniinade,  in  France,  in  1817, 
and  a})proved  by  Pope  Gregory  XYI.,  in  18IJ9.  They 
devuto  their  lives  to  the  education  of  youth.  The  society 
was  introduced  into  the  United  Stages  in  1849 ;  and  at 
present,  possesses  twenty-three  houfiCF.  in  Ohio,  Illinois, 
Kew  York,  Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  Louisiana,  and  Texas, 


The  Passionists. 
(a.d.  1853.) 

The  Passionists  were  founded  by  St.  Paul  of  the  Cross 
in  1735.  Their  holy  founder  was  canonized  in  18G7,  by 
Pius  IX.  The  labor  of  their  lives  is  to  convert  sinners — 
10  draw  men  towards  God  by  means  of  missions  and 
retreats.  In  seeking  to  carry  out  this  noble  object,  the 
Passionists  unite  the  austerity  of  the  Trappist  with  the 
activity  of  the  Jesuit.  "  Our  devotional  exercises,"  says 
one  of  them,  "  begin  at  midnight.  At  that  hour  every 
Passionist  rises  from  his  hard  couch  and  repairs  to  the 
chapel.  There  before  the  altar  we  chant  the  divine  office, 
a  ceremony  which  occupies  an  hour  and  a  half.  After  this 
we  retire  to  rest,  but  rise  again  at  six  and  repair  once  more 
to  the  chapel  for  devotions,  followed  by  Masses.  The  morn- 
ing hours  are  devoted  by  the  priests  and  students  to  spiritual 
exercises  and  8t"dy,  and  by  the  lay  brothers  to  material 
offices.  Our  habits,  cloaks,  shoes,  sandals — everything  we 
wear  or  use,  is  made  in  the  house.  No  woman  ever  crosses 
the  threshold  which  divides  our  cloisters  from  the  reception- 
room  of  the  Retreat." 

In  1853,  Bishop  O'Connor,  of  Pittsburgh,  being  in  Rome, 
brought  with  him  three  Passionist  Fathers*  and  a  lay 
brother — the  first  that  entered  the  United  States. 

'*'  Fathers  Dominic,  Anthony,  and  Albinus. 


382  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

Though  Httlo  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  in  this 
country,  the  Order  has  taken  iirm  root,  and  now  i)OS3CRse9 
five  •'HtablishnuMits,  witli  one  hundred  and  eight  nicmhers. 
The  two  cliief  houses  are  St.  PauVn  Monastery  (the  Mother- 
House  for  the  United  States),  ]*>inningham,  Pa.;  and  St. 
Micliael's  Monastery,  lIoboi<en,  N.  J.  Of  the  .members, 
the  great  majority  are  Americans,  Trisli,  and  Italians. 

The  grand  work  which  the  Passion ists  have  accomplished 
in  this  Republic  for  God,  religion,  and  society  may  not  be 
written  in  books,  but  it  is  engraved  on  the  converted  hearts 
of  thousands,  and  is  known  in  Heaven ! 

"  The  extraordinary  success  of  the  Passionists  in  this 
country,"  says  Very  Kev.  Father  Nilus,  C.P.,  "  is  indeed  to 
be  wondered  at,  for  the  American  mind,  with  its  ideas  of 
liberty  and  independence,  would  seem  to  be  totally  unsuited 
for  the  religious  life,  where  the  vow  of  obedience  requires 
such  complete  submission  of  the  individual  will.  This  ap- 
parent phenomenon  may  be  explained  by  reflecting  that 
only  of  late  have  Americans  had  a  proper  comprehension 
of  the  real  character  of  religious  orders.  They  are  prac- 
tically the  most  perfect  system  of  a  democratic  goverament 
on  earth.  The  superiors  are  elected  by  the  members  of  the 
Order,  and  only  for  a  specified  time.  During  that  time  their 
authority  is  qualified  by  a  code  of  regulations  by  which  all 
agree  to  abide.  It  is  this  feature,  I  presume,  which  makes 
Religious  Orders  so  prolific  in  this  free  and  enlightened 
country." 

CONOEEOATION   OF   XaVERIAN    BrOTHEES. 

(a.d.  1854.) 

The  Xaverian  Brothers  were  founded  by  Brother  Francis 
Xavier  (Theodore  James  Rykeu)  at  Burges,  Belgium,  in 
1 839.  They  devote  their  lives  to  the  education  of  youth. 
These  zealous  religious  were  introduced  into  the  United 
States  in  1854,  by  the  late  Archbishop  Spalding,  then  Bishop 
of  Louisville.    At  present,  the  Congregation  possesses  three 


The  Religious  Orders  of  Men, 


383 


house's;  one  in  Louisville,  one  in  l>altinioro  city,  and  one  in 
IJ.iltiinoro  county.  It  conducts  eij^ht  parochial  sdiools  and 
St.  Xtivier'e  Institute.  The  nieinhers  are  forty  in  number, 
iihout  onc-lialf  of  whom  are  Americans,  the  other  half  J»el- 
daiiti,  Irish,  and  Oermans.  The  United  States  forms  ono 
of  the  three  provinces,  Belgium,  Kni^land,  and  America, 
into  which  the  Congregation  is  divi«led.  The  provincial  ia 
Rev.  Brother  Alexius,  who  resides  at  Louisville,  Ky. 


Congregation  of  tue   Missionary  Puiests  op  St.  Paul 

TUE  Apostle. 

While  all  the  Religions  Orders,  which  we  have  noticed, 
had  tlieir  origin  in  Europe,  this  Congregation  recently  sprang 
into  life  on  American  soil,  was  established  by  an  American, 
and  it  is,  we  believe,  almost  entirely  composed  of  Amer- 
icans. It  was  founded  in  1858  by  the  Very  Rev.  Isaac  T. 
Ilceker,  C.S.P.,  with  a  special  view  to  the  spiritual  wants 
of  this  country,  and  having  for  its  chief  object  missions  and 
other  apostolic  works,  together  with  the  ordinary  parochial 
(iiarge.  Already,  the  Paulist  Fathers  have  become  famous 
as  eloquent  preachers  and  devoted  missionaries.  A  band  of 
them  is  continually  employed  in  giving  missions  and  retreats 
from  Maine  to  California.  The  Congregation  possesses  one 
establishment  with  nineteen  professed  members,  nine 
novices,  and  six  postulants.  The  building  of  a  large  church 
and  house  has  been  commenced  at  the  location  of  the 
present  temporary  edifice  in  Ninth  avenue  and  Fifty-ninth 
street,  New  York  City.  The  Catholic  World  is  managed 
by  the  Fathers  of  this  Congregation. 


n  !!i 


.'Ui, 


! 


384 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


I 


•op 

nmHi?g 

•op 

qfljlSuj 

•op 

qa|[Oj 

tes. 


«>        *. 


o 
a. 
o 
.-a 

if 

iT 

o 

na 

u 

O 

V 


•eg 


C^  03 

c  s> 

c  -^ 

1)  o 
^  *^ 


c  a 


St-'     " 

C     -  !r    -7- 

W    7.         C       J-  - 


2  7  ;  ~   t-  • 


c  .= «".  y 

£?|-^   Ml 

C~  •,'  -    . 
t-  —  ■  "•  .-  . 

«-  EC-     v_. 

--  r  >>>.''■:• 


^^  -  - 


^-&? 


.2  ■■'^ 

2 


(=■3    i:- 


c         .  _  - 

^  X  ^  "  -  ■ 

r"  —       *"  "*  ; 

(/-    "■   _   *  V  - 

'-1  -  —  "^  I. 

-  /.  -  : 


•25 


SBtK 


,-*  ^  i  -  ■ 


'  £<►. 


i;     *J 


^ C-tf_ 

■^  t.'^rt  !c>  is' 

r"   -  ■  i^         —  ~   -•  1 
y   a=   S:   i;   ii_.i-7:.. 

r*  e  2  -  u---:?     i  :.■:' 
".  —  i^  £_:.••  -  >-  c  t  ■-  r  i  1 

a      c  i)  ■  c  -- 


REV.  FATHER  JOHN  McF.LROY,    S.J. 

Tlii.*  vonerablo  priest,  now  in  his  ninety-fourth  year,  is  one 
of  the  illustrious  men  of  our  aj^e.  John  McElroy  was  born  in 
1782.  near  Brookborough,  in  tlio  county  Fenuanagli,  Ireland. 
Kmbnrking  for  tlio  United  States  from  Londonderry,  he  landed 
at  Baltimore  in  the  summer  of  1803.  Three  years  later,  ho  en- 
tered the  novitiate  of  the  Society  of  Jesus  at  Georgetown  Col- 
lege. After  a  long  tenu  of  thorough  study  and  progress  in  the 
way  of  virtue,  Father  McElroy  was  ordained  in  May,  1817. 
The  record  of  his  glorious  labors  for  nearly  sixty  years  would 
indeed  form  a  volume,  the  value  of  which  could  only  be  ex- 
ceeded by  its  interest. 

"  I  have  had  the  honor,"  writes  the  learned  biographer*  of  our 
Catholic  Chief-Justice,  "to  know  Father  McElroy  from  boy- 
hood ns  one  of  the  most  useful  and  pious  of  men.  lie  took 
charge  of  the  little  church  in  Frederick  City,  in  September, 
182"2,  when  Jin  intimacy  and  true  friendship  commenced  between 
him  and  Chief-Justice  Taney." 

He  built  a  magnificent  church  at  Frederick,  where  the  Mary- 
land province  now  has  its  novitiate.  Such  was  the  high  esteem 
in  which  he  was  held  by  all  classes  and  creeds  that  a  Protestant 
wTiter  ill  1829,  exclaimed:  "  Strange  paradox!  Catholic  Franco 
expels  the  Jesuits,  deprives  them  of  the  education  of  youth,  and 
the  rrotes<:ants  of  Frederick  contribute  each  with  his  fifty 
dollars  to  build  the  Jesuits  a  college  there." 

Ills  great  influence  over  his  fellow-men  proclaims  his  own 
greatness.  In  1831,  the  laborers  on  the  Baltimore  and  Washing- 
ton Railway  grew  riotoixs,  and  to  the  number  of  several  hundred, 
by  their  boldness  and  armed  gatlierings,  alaraied  the  citizens 
of  the  surror.nding  country.t  The  militia  was  about  to  be  called 
out.  when  it  was  suggested  that  a  few  words  from  Father 
MeKlroy  might  have  more  eifect  than  the  appearance  of  a  regi- 
iii'iit.  The  Jesuit  came,  he  saw,  he  con<iuered;  but  not  like 
Ciisiir.  With  the  magic  power  of  religion  he  stiliod  the  great 
huuiiui  tempest.  At  the  sound  of  his  voice  all  was  peace.  The 
har(hv(>rking,  but  excited  men  quietly  returned  to  their  duty. 

When  the  Mexican  war  began,  another  field  of  heroic  toil  was 


*  Samuel  TjMer,  LL.D.,  a  Protestant  gentlcmun. 

t  Dc  Courey,  In  hia  "Catholic  Church  in  the  United  States,"  greatly  ex- 
aggerates this  incident,  as  Father  McElroy  remarks  in  a  letter  before  me. 
25  (385) 


I    'V 


i 


I'll 


386  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

opened  for  Father  McEiroy.  He  was  one  of  the  two  Catliolic 
chaplains  appointed  to  attend  the  American  Army,  about  one- 
lialf  of  which  was  composed  of  Catholics.  Throughout  the 
whole  conflict,  ho  gained  the  love  and  confidence  of  our  soldiers 
to  a  remarkable  degree.  In  1847,  the  famous  Jesuit  was  stMit  to 
Boston,  which  for  seventeen  years  became  the  principal  scene 
of  his  zeal  and  his  laboi'S.  There  he  erected  the  church  of  the 
Immaculate  Conception,  the  largest  in  that  city;  and  Boston 
College,  now  in  full  operation.  It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  no 
college  had  ever  been  established  in  the  capital  of  New  England 
until  1861,  and  that  then  it  was  a  Jesuit  college!  During  this 
period  he  was  also  constantly  travelling  to  all  points  where  the 
confidence  of  the  bishops,  or  the  wants  of  the  Society  called 
him.  When  the  last  hours  of  Archbishop  Hughes  arrived,  he 
was  visited  by  his  friend,  Father  McElroy,  who  ofl'ered  up  the 
holy  sacrifice  of  the  Mass  for  the  last  time  in  his  room.  That 
evening  the  great  prelate  calmly  expired. 

"  In  1804,"  writes  the  venerable  man,  "I  ceased  from  doing 
active  duty  in  the  ministry.  In  1808,  I  lost  my  eyesight,  which, 
howev'er,  was  again  restored  by  a  successful  operation.  I  re- 
tained the  use  of  my  sight  for  about  five  years.  Since  then  I 
have  been  totally  blind  ;  but  in  other  respects  I  enjoy  good 
health,  and  daily  celebrate,  thanks  be  to  God,  the  holy  sacrifice 
of  the  Mass."* 

This  grand  old  Jesuit,  the  most  aged  member  of  his  Order  in 
the  world,  is  himself  a  living  history  of  the  Catholic  Church  in 
the  United  States.  For  seventy-throe  years  he  has  witnessed 
its  life,  its  growth,  its  progress.  "What  a  precious  volume  his 
reminiscences  would  be!  May  we  not  hope  for  such  a  work/ 
How  much  could  there  be  told  about  the  spread  of  Catholicity, 
the  wonderful  manifestations  of  God's  grace,  and  the  thousund- 
and-one  adventures  and  "  moving  incidents  by  flood  and 
field!  "  Of  all  our  living  clergy.  Father  McElroy  is  the  only  one 
who  connects  the  days  of  Archbishop  Carroll  with  the  Centennial 
Anniversary  of  American  Independence. 

*  Letter  to  the  author. 


V.  REV.  FATHER  EDWARD  SORIN,  C.S.C. 


The  distinguished  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  France, 
in  the  early  part  of  this  century.  Entering  the  Congregation  of 
the  Holy  Cross,  he  was  ordained  priest;  and  was  soon  appointed 
to  establish  a  branch  of  his  Order  in  America.  Father  Sorin 
landed  at  New  York  in  the  fall  of  1841,  bent  his  steps  towards 
the  West,  and  fixed  upon  a  wild,  but  beautiful,  spot  in  Indiana 
as  a  site  for  the  future  residence  of  himself  and  his  religious 
colleagues.     It  is  now  known  as  Notre  Dame. 

Father  Sorin  was  gifted  witli  tliat  rare  energy  which  can  trans- 
form a  log-cabin  into  a  university,  and  a  wilderness  into  a  smil- 
intr  scene  where  learning,  religion,  and  civilization  dwell  to- 
gether. But  when  the  good  priest  began  his  work,  bigotry  was 
ahirmed.  "  When  it  was  known  that  Father  Sorin  and  seven 
}3rotliers  had  arrived  at  Notre  Dame,  and  that  he  intended  put- 
ting up  a  Catholic  College,  there  was  much  trouble  among  the 
reverend  gentlemen  who  held  forth  in  the  pulpits  of  the  neigh- 
boring towns.  Father  Sorin  was  at  once  multiplied  by  twelve 
and  made  to  stand  for  one  dozen  '  Popish  Priests ' ;  and  it  was  con- 
sidered a  fair  valuation,  rather  under  than  over  the  mark,  to 
poiint  the  seven  Brothers,  twenty.  It  was  announced  that  twelve 
Konian  Priests  and  twenty  Monks  were  'out  at  the  lake,' and 
that  the  Pope  of  Rome  liad  already  sent  $90,000  to  Ftither  Sorin, 
and  would  shortly  send  over  the  trifling  sum  of  $10,000  to  make 
n  round  figure  !  The  above  is  no  fancy  sketch,  but  actually  took 
place,  and  no  doubt  some  good  souls,  listening  to  those  men  of 
peace  and  good- will,  thoiight  that  the  Pope  would  come  and 
settle  in  South  Bend,  or  Mishawaka. '"* 

At  Notre  Dame,  Father  Sorin  firmly  established  his  congrega- 
tion, founded  the  University  of  Notre  Dame,  and  the  Manual 
Labor  S(diool,  built  a  beautiful  church  with  its  chime  of  twenty- 
throe  bolls,  and  began  the  Ace  Maria,  a  religious  monthly,  in 
honor  of  the  Blessed  Virgin.  (.)iio  litthi  incident  will  illustriito 
the  religious  and  practical  spirit  of  this  fiimous  priest.  In  the 
full  of  1813,  he  made  his  annual  retreat  on  the  mound  between 
the  two  small  lakes  at  Notre  Dame.  Between  his  various  spirit- 
ual exercises,  he  did  not  think  it  a  waste  of  time  to  grasp  hia 


•.<;  41 


*  "Silver  Jubilee  of  Notre  Darae  University."    By  J,  A.  Lyons,  M.A. 

(387) 


388 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


sharp  axo,  fell  large  trees,  and  clear  off  ilie  ground  on  which  to 
build  a  chapel. 

Some  years  ago,  this  venerable  man  was  elected  Superior- 
General  of  his  Order.  lie  is  yet  hale  and  hearty,  with  littlo  to 
indicate  old  ago,  save  his  snow-whit»)  hair.  If  he  who  luakos 
"  two  blades  of  grass  grow  upon  a  spot  where  only  one  grow  bo- 
fore,"  be  a  benefactor  to  his  country,  what  shall  we  gay  of  such 
a  man  as  Father  Sorin  \ 


V.  REV.  FATHER  IIECKER,  C.S.P. 


Isaac  Thomas  Hecker  was  born  of  German  parents  in  New 
York  City,  December  18th,  1819.  Ho  was  obliged  to  spend  hid 
early  youth  in  manual  labor,  and  after  the  ordinary  common- 
school  education,  acquired  the  knowledge  of  the  branches  pre- 
paratory to  his  professional  studies  chietty  by  his  owti  iron 
efforts.  After  a  long  and  diligent  search  he  found  the  true  relig- 
ion, and  was  received  into  the  Catholic  Church  by  the  Rev. 
F.  Rumpler,  C.SS.R.,  at  the  Rodemptorist's  Church  in  Third 
street.  New  York.     He  was  then  about  twenty-four  years  of  age. 

Having  been  received  as  a  postulant  into  the  Congregation  of 
the  Most  Holy  Redeemer,  he  was  .sent  to  Bel^^ium,  where  he  p.'isscd 
the  years  of  his  preparation  for  the  priosr.iood  in  the  houses  of 
Sts.  Frond  and  Wittem.  Before  the  completion  of  this  period  lie 
was  sent  to  London,  where  he  was  ordained  priest  by  Cardinal 
Wiseman  in  the  month  of  October,  1819.  Father  Hecker  was 
one  of  a  band  of  young  Redemptorists  sent  to  the  United  States 
in  the  spring  of  1851.  On  his  arrival  in  New  York,  he  immedi- 
ately engaged  in  the  missionary  labors,  which  employed  the 
greatest  part  of  his  time,  zeal,  and  energy  during  the  next  ten 
years. 

The  autumn  and  winter  of  1857-8  were  spent  in  Rome  in  ar- 
ranging the  affairs  connected  with  the  separation  of  himself  and 
his  associates  in  forming  a  new  Congregation  apart  from  tlio 
Congregation  of  the  I\Iost  Holy  Redeemer.  It  is  now  widely 
known  as  the  Congregation  of  St.  Paul.  The  members  are  gen- 
erally called  Paulist  Fathers.  Since  the  establishment  of  the 
Congregation  of  St.  Paul,  Father  Hecker  has  been  employed  in 
the  duties  of  his  olllce  as  Superior,  in  various  parochial  and 
missionary  labors,  and  in  the  foundation  and  direction  of  the 
Catholic  Publication  Society.  In  September,  1869,  he  assisted 
at  the  Catholic  Congress  of  Malines  ;  and  during  the  session  of 


sssasasssl 


The  Religious  Orders  of  Men. 


389 


the  Council  of  the  Vatican,  he  remained  in  Rome  as  one  of  the 
tiieologians  of  the  late  Archbisliop  Spalding  of  Baltimore. 

Since  that  time  Father  Ilccker  \v;is  obliged  to  take  another 
and  longer  tour  in  Europe,  Egypt,  and  the  Holy  liand  for  the 
restoration  of  his  impaired  health.  From  this  journey  he  re- 
turned sensibly  improved  and  prepared  to  resume  the  more  im- 
portant duties  of  his  office  in  October,  1875.  On  December 
2yth,  1875,  he  was  re-elected  Superior  of  the  Congregation  of 
8t.  Paul  for  the  regular  term  of  nine  years.  During  the  last 
quarter  of  a  century,  no  one  has  done  more  to  influence  and 
elevate  the  Catholic  mind  of  America  than  Father  Hccker. 


m 


UutS 


>.  1 


REV.  FATHER  ARNOLD  DAMEN,  S.J. 

In  the  first  years  of  the  nineteenth  century,  Arnold  Damen 
was  born  in  Holland.  Entering  the  Society  of  Jesus,  ho  camo 
to  America,  and  for  thirty-five  years  he  has  devoted  his  time, 
his  talents,  his  rare  eloquence,  and  wonderful  energy  to  the 
work  of  converting  thousands  to  the  true  religion,  and  in  erect- 
ing monuments  of  faith  to  the  glory  of  God.  To  few  men  does 
the  Catholic  Church  in  the  United  States  owe  more  than  to 
Father  Damen. 

In  1857,  he  purchased  ground,  established  the  Society  of  Jesus 
in  Chicago,  and  built  the  great  "  Church  of  the  Holy  Family," 
which  was  solemnly  dedicated  in  1800.  He  also  founded  and 
completed  St.  Ignatius  College,  which  may  be  regarded  as  one 
of  the  crowning  labors  of  his  life. 

But  it  is  as  the  great  Catholic  missionary  that  Father  Damen 
is  known  throughout  this  Republic.  The  success  of  his  career 
for  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century  in  the  missionary  field  is 
somothing  nearly  marvelous.  lie  has  been  the  means  of  reviv- 
ing the  Faith  in  the  cold  hearts  of  hundreds  of  thousands  of 
tepid  Catholics.  He  has  received  over  8,000  Protestants  into  the 
Catholic  Church.  Ten  of  'hese  were  ministers  of  various 
sects. 

As  an  orator  and  preacher,  Father  Damen  has,  perhaps,  no 
superior  in  this  country.  Those  who  have  heard  him  can  truly 
exeltiim:  "How  forcible  are  right  words!  "  His  language  burns 
like  a  torch.  It  goes  straight  to  the  heart.  Even  men  whoso 
stern  nature  has  been  hardened  by  years  of  indiff'erence  are 
juoved  to  tears.  Many  qualities  combine  to  produce  this  effect. 
His  manly,    venerable,    and   imposing   presence,   his   intense 


s**ti 


« 


'  -ajf 


390  Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 


earnestness,  and  his  magic  power  over  simple  language,  enable 
him  to  move  a  congregation  or  an  audience  at  will. 

As  the  illustrious  missionary  of  our  age  and  country,  Father 
Dauieu  still  continues  his  sublime  labors,  his  brow  encircled 
with  the  liJilo  of  age  and  sanctity,  and  his  head  adorned  with 
the  white  hairs  of  many  winters.  He  travels  with  his  band  of 
apostolic  colleagues  from  city  to  city,  from  North  to  South,  from 
East  to  West,  converting  the  hardened  and  the  indifferent,  and 
doing  good  to  all  who  come  within  the  reach  of  his  influence. 
His  life  is  best  told  by  his  works,  and  all  his  works  are  known 
but  to  God. 


REV.  F.  X.  WENINGER,  S.J.,  D.D. 

Francis  Xavier  Weninger  was  born  of  a  noble  family,  in  the 
city  of  Marburg,  Austria,  in  1805.  Some  years  after  his  birth, 
his  parents  went  to  reside  at  the  capital,  where  the  young  man 
became  a  special  ^jro^e//^  of  the  royal  family.  In  the  University 
of  Vienna  he  made  his  course  of  divinity,  and  was  ordained 
priest.  After  his  ordination,  Father  Weninger  returned  to  his 
native  diocese,  and  was  appointed  Professor  of  Dogmatic  The- 
ology in  the  University  of  Gratz.  Here,  abandoning  a  brilliant 
career,  he  entered  the  Society  of  Jesus.  After  making  his  no- 
vitiate, he  was  sent  to  the  province  of  Gallicia  to  review  his 
theological  studies;  for  it  is  customary  in  the  Society  to  make 
those  who  enter  from  the  secular  clergy  review  their  divinity 
course  in  its  schools,  thus  securing  similarity  of  vie>vs  and 
training. 

With  the  desire  of  laboring  among  the  German  element  in 
America,  Father  Weninger  left  his  native  country,  and  landed 
in  New  York,  in  the  summer  of  1848.  He  gave  his  first  mission 
at  Oldenburg,  Indiana.  His  remarkable  missionary  career 
during  the  last  twenty-eight  years  is  not  unknown  to  the  Catho- 
lics of  the  United  States.  While  his  zeal  has  been  principally 
exercised  among  the  Germans,  his  tall  and  venerable  form  is 
familiar  to  many  a  French  and  English  speaking  congregation. 
He  has  repeatedly  traversed  the  country  from  the  Atlantic  to 
the  Pacific,  from  Lake  Superior  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  lie  has 
given  about  seven  hundred  missions,  and  erected  over  six  hun- 
dred mission  crosses,  memorials  of  his  long-remembered  visits. 
Besides,  he  has  written  and  published  one  or  more  works  every 
year.  This  gifted  and  learned  Jesuit  is  the  author  of  over 
eighty  volumes,  of  which  ten  are  in  English. 


The  Religious  Orders  of  Men.  391 

Father  Weninger,  now  in  his  seventy-first  year,  is  still  active, 
vijjorous,  and  engaged  with  his  usual  energy  in  the  laborious 
iiiiiiistry  of  the  missions.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  apostolic 
man  will  himself  write  a  history  of  his  labors  in  the  United 
States,  giving  an  account  of  the  singular  conversions  he  has 
witnessed,  and  the  many  stirring  and  extraordinary  scenes 
through  which  he  has  passed  during  nearly  a  third  of  a  cen- 
tury. 


REV.  BROTHER  PATRICK. 

Rev.  Brother  Patrick,  Assistant-General  of  the  Brothers  of  the 
Christian  Schools,  is  one  of  the  groat  Catholic  educators  of  our 
time  and  country.  He  was  born  in  Nenagh,  County  Tipperary,  Ire- 
land, in  1825.  He  is  come  of  a  patriotic  Catholic  family  (Murphy), 
which  did  and  suffered  much  for  "the  land  they  loved."  When 
tlie  boy  was  only  two  years  of  age,  his  father  emigrated  to 
Canada.  After  obtaining  a  good  education,  he  entered  the  novi- 
tiate of  the  Chri.«;tian  Brothers,  Montreal,  where  he  received 
the  name  since  so  honored  and  widely  known. 

His  superiors  soon  recognized  in  tlie  youthful  Brother  that 
virtue,  ability,  and  marked  character  which  gained  their  confi- 
dence and  esteem.  Brother  I'atrick  was  appointed  Director 
of  the  house  in  Montreal,  when  but  a  few  years  in  the  Order. 

At  this  period.  Archbishop  Kenrick  invited  the  Christian 
Brothers  to  St.  Louis,  where  tliey  opened  an  academy.  For 
want  of  a  firm,  guiding  hand,  this  institution  began  to  lan- 
guish; and  in  the  summer  of  1853,  Brother  Patrick  was  sent  to 
the  rescue.  Thus,  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago,  he  began 
his  labors  in  this  Ropublic.  His  presence  infused  new  life  into 
the  young  academy  at  St.  Louis,  wliicli  he  soon  raised  to  tho 
rank  of  a  college.  The  Brothers  had  been  for  some  years  in  the 
Archdiocese  of  New  York,  and  had  opened  an  academy  at  Man- 
hattanville.  Its  success  was  very  uncertain  until  Brother  Pat- 
rick arrived.  By  his  zeal,  vigor,  and  energy  it  was  transformed 
into  a  college — Manhattan  College,  now  well  known  as  the 
chief  seat  of  learning  conducted  by  the  Christian  Brothers  in 
tliis  Republic.  Wherever  lie  went,  Brother  I'atrick  left  the  trace 
of  a  master  hand. 

In  18(51,  he  succeeded  Brother  Facile  as  Provincial  Visitor  of 
the  American  establishments;  and  in  1873  he  was  appointed 
Assistant-General  of  the  Order  in  America.  He  is  the  first  Eng- 
lish-speaking person  who  ever  occupied  that  position.     The  du- 


t;:; 


1. 

\     ||g|M||||K 

392  Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 

ties  of  his  office  oblige  him  to  reside  in  Paris,  and  he  visits 
America  only  occasionally.  During  his  visit  in  1875,  ho  mado 
a  complete  toui*  of  inspection  of  the  houses  of  his  Ordor  in 
Now  York,  Canada,  Maryland,  Missouri.  New  Mexico,  California, 
and  elsewhere.  Much  of  the  prestige  now  enjoyed  by  the  wor- 
thy disciples  of  the  Venerable  John  Baptist  do  la  Salle  on  tho 
American  continent  is,  in  good  part,  due  to  the  ability,  zeal 
piety,  and  liberal,  enlightened  mind  of  Brother  Patrick. 


CHAPTER  II. 


THE   RELIGIOUS    0EDER8   OF   WOMEN. 


ISTRODCCTORT — TUB  URSULINE8— CARMEMTE  NUNS— VISITATION  NUNS 
—SISTERS  OF  CHARITY— SISTERS  OF  CHARITY  OF  ST.  VINCKNT  DB 
PAUL— SISTEIiS  OF  LOUETTO— SISTERS  OK  CIIAIMTY  OF  NAZARETH — 
LADIKS  OF  THE  SACRED  HEART — SISTEKS  OF  ST.  JOSEPH— SI9TRU8 
OK  PROVIDENCE— SISTERS  OF  NOTRE  DAME— SISTERS  OF  THE  HOLY 
CROSS— SISTERS  OF  MERCY — SISTERS  OF  THE  GOOD  SHEPHERD — 
SCHOOL  SI8TEHS  OF  NOTRE  DAME — PRESENTATION  NUNS — THE  LIT- 
TLE SISTERS   OF   THE  POOR — TABLE   OF   STATISTICS. 


"  Clear  and  loud  from  tho  convent  tower 
Sounded  the  'Angelus '  bell. 
Pealing  out  on  the  morning  air, 
Calling  the  faithful  ones  to  prayer, 
And  they  loved  its  tones  full  well.'* 

—Legend  op  Sistkr  Beatrice. 


To  the  Catholic  Church,  woman  owes  her  elevated  posi- 
tion in  society.  History  admits  of  no  d(jubt  on  this  point. 
V>\  the  so-called  civilization  of  the  ancient  pagan  nations, 
as  the  weaker  sex  she  was  degi'aded.  It  is  the  same  in  the 
licatiien  land"  of  to-day.  But  Catholicity,  by  teaching  the 
conmion  origin  and  destiny  of  man,  by  elevating  marriage 
to  the  dignity  of  a  holy  sacrament,  by  honoring  the  Blessed 
Mother  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  by  crowning  the  state  of 
virginity  witli  peerless  splendor,  exalted  and  ennobled 
woman. 

Happy  the  country  which  possesses  communities  of  pious 
\irgins  who  dedicate  to  God  their  talents,  and  youth,  and 
beiuity,  and  innocence !  The  Almighty  alone  knows  how 
often  the  fervor  and  perseverance  of  their  petitions  and  the 
i^anetity  of  their  lives  have  saved  society  from  imminent 
destruction,  and  preserved  wicked  and  coriiipt  cities  from 
,  the  fate  of  Sodom  and  Gomorrah,  which  would  not  have 

(393) 


'••'ftl 


i 


394  CaiJioIiiify  in  the  United  States. 

been  destroycfl  if  ii  few  ju.st  oiicis  luid  l»eeii  found  in  tlictii. 
"Whilst  tli(!  Viiin  iind  the  sinfnl  arc  en^^^^ed  in  revelinj;  an,! 
frivolous  tinmsenients,  ihelr  prayers  ascend  ni^ht  and  dav, 
like  sweet  incense,  to  the  Throne  of  God,  and  bring  down  on 
a  gnilty  world  the  mercy  of  Heaven. 

"  Who  can  measure,"  exclaims  the  profound  Bahnep. 
"  the  salutary  influence  which  the  sacrc^  ceremonies  with 
which  the  Catholic  Church  celebrates  the  consecration  of  a 
virgin  to  God,  must  have  exercised  on  female  morals! 
Who  can  calculate  the  holy  thonghts,  the  chaste  inspira- 
tions which  have  gone  forth  from  these  silent  abodes  of 
modesty,  erected  sometimes  in  solitai'y  phu^es,  and  some- 
times in  crowded  cities  I  ""'•■ 

"But,"  some  may  inquire,  "can  happiness  rcallv  l)e 
found  within  the  secluded  walls  of  a  convent  ? "  Those  wIki 
possess  God  are  always  hapi>y — ])'es8ed  with  a  checi-fnlnoss 
and  peace  of  soul  which  the  world  cannot  give.  Let  tlie 
young  and  saintly  Princess  Louise  answer.  Writing  from 
a  convent  to  her  father,  Louis  XY.,  King  of  France,  slio 
said :  "  I  am  tilled  with  consolation — I  have  reached  the 
summit  of  happiness.  Everything  that  was  around  mo  in 
the  Court  promised  pleasures,  but  I  could  not  enjoy  tlicin. 
Here,  on  the  contrary,  where  everything  appeaivs  destined 
to  afflict  nature,  I  feel  tlie  purest  delight;  and  ever  since  I 
entered  this  al)0(le,  I  cannot  but  ask  myself  every  dav: 
Where  are  the  austerities  with  which  it  was  pretended  to 
frighten  me  ?  "f 

N^or  is  this  all.  Religious  ladies,  while  attending  to  their 
own  sanctifieation  and  aspiring  to  an  unfading  ci'own,  are 
far  from  being  idle  members  of  society,  or  careless  of  the 
interests  or  wants  of  others.  There  is  no  work  of  humanity, 
charity,  or  education  in  which  they  do  not  take  a  part.  The 
world  is  largely  their  debtor.  Human  mathematics  cannot 
compute  what  modern  civilization  owes  them.     Has  ever 


*  "European  Civilization." 

t  Proyart's  "  Lifo  of  Madauio  Louise  of  France.'' 


The  Religious  Orders  of  IVoinen.         395 

earth  produced  si  nobler  wonuin — a  jjjnuider  heroine  than 

the  true  Daughter  of  C/iafiti/  f 

"  Unshriiikiii;?  whoro  Po.stilonoo  KcattorH  his  breath, 
Like  (in  angel  she  iuovoh  'mid  the  vapor  of  death; 
Where  rings  the  loud  niufsket  and  llashoH  the  sword, 
Unfearing  she  walks,  for  she  follows  the  Lord. 
How  sweetly  she  bonds  o'er  each  plague-tainted  face, 
With  looks  that  are  lighted  with  holiest  grace  I 
How  kindly  she  drosses  each  sufforing  limb, 
For  she  sees  in  the  wounded  the  image  of  Him! 

"  Behold  her,  ye  worldly!  behold  hor,  ye  vain! 
Who  shrink  from  the  pathway  of  virtue  and  pain; 
Who  yield  up  to  pleasure  your  nights  and  your  days, 
Forgetful  of  service,  forgetful  of  praise. 
Ve  lazy  philosophers — self-seeking  men — 
Ye  tlroside  philanthropists,  great  at  the  pon, 
How  stands  in  the  balance  your  eIo<iuence  weighed 
With  the  life  and  the  deeds  of  that  high-born  maid  ?" 

— G.  Griffin. 

The   Ursi'lines. 

(a.i).   1727.) 

It  was  a  bi-iglit  day  in  the  summer  of  1(539.  A  small 
vessel  glided  up  the  St.  Lawrence  and  neared  the  for- 
tress of  (Quebec.  The  cannon  roared  welcome.  All  labor 
ceascil.  The  governor,  some  priests,  and  a  file  of  soldiers 
were  ranged  on  shore.  A  party  of  religious  ladies  landed, 
and  for  the  first  time  trod  the  soil  of  Canada.  They  con- 
sisted of  the  famous  Marie  de  I'Incarnation,  Madame  de  la 
J'elti-ie,  and  a  number  of  Ur.suline  nuns.  That  was  the 
fnt  day  in  the  American  history  of  this  great  Order. 

In  1727 — just  a  century  and  a  half  ago — another  band  of 
rrsiilines  landed  at  New  Orleans.  .  An  establishment  was 
founded.  It  exists  to  this  day — the  oldest  convent  of 
women  in  the  United  States. 

But  I  anticipate.  Let  us  glance  at  the  origin  of  the  Ur- 
^iilines.  St.  Angela  Merici,  the  Foundress  of  the  Ursuline 
^'iins,  was  born  in  Italy,  about  the  year  1470.  Her  life 
Was  one  of  devotion.     In  her  day,  Europe  was  full  of  the 


m 


r\ 


■-•,1  ■  ■'(  ; 
■:■■     ■('  i 


39^  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


■  ■  I 

I 


■r; 


scrtiuliil  ;iimI  licrcsy  mised  l>y  tlio  apostate  monk,  Martin 
Luther.  Until  that  time,  all  the  rolif^ious  Orders  of  woinon 
liad  heen  cloiHtercd.  Angela  Merici,  Hcein^  the  wants  of 
the  age,  determined  to  found  an  uncloirttered  society.  She 
was  the  first  to  suu^gost  and  carry  out  thin  form  of  ft'iiiaio 
religious  life.  In  15IJ7  she  gathered  around  her  seveiitv- 
three  maidens,  who  embraced  the  rule  '.vhii-h  hIio  drew  uji 
under  the  invocation  of  St.  Ursula.  They  were  to  live  in 
their  own  homes,  and  devote  themselves  to  comforting  the 
afflicted,  visiting  the  sick  and  poor,  instructing  the  igno- 
rant— in  fact,  undertaking  any  work  of  mercy  tliat  might 
present  itself.  Pope  Paul  III.  solemnly  confirmed  th(3  new 
Order  in  1540.  It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  the  llrsuliius 
and  the  Society  of  Jesus  were  founded  and  approved  al- 
most in  the  same  years.  The  Order  soon  spread  over 
Italy,  France,  and  other  countries.  As  a  cloistered  sister- 
hood, it  dates  from  1C12.  For  over  two  hundred  and 
sixty  years  the  Ursulincs  have  taken  the  front  rank  among 
the  greatest  educators  of  modern  times. 

We  have  already  referred  to  the  ancient  convent  of  New 
Orleans.  Its  history  has  been  checkered,  but  it  has  bravely 
withstood  the  storms  of  time.*     Nor  has  it  been  a  fruitless 

♦  When  Louisiana  was  ceded  to  the  United  States  by  Franco, 
in  1803,  the  Ursuline  Convent  was  composed  of  eleven  sisters, 
while  their  academy  counted  170  pupils,  of  whom  73  wcro 
boarders.  It  was  suggested  by  some  that  the  cession  of  torri 
tory  might  Effect  the  nuns'  rigl  t  to  their  property.  In  order  to 
have  it  formally  confirmed  to  thomsolves  and  their  successors, 
they  addressed  a  petition  to  Thomas  Jefferson,  then  President. 
The  illustrious  man's  reply  ueserves  a  place  here  : 
"T/*e  President  of  the  United  States  to  the  8oeur  Therese  de  St. 
Xamer  Farjon,  Superior,  and  the  Nuns  of  the  Order  of  St. 
Ursula,  at  New  Orleans : 

"  I  have  received,  holy  sisters,  the  letter  you  have  written  nie, 
wherein  you  express  anxiety  for  the  property  vested  in  your 
institution  by  the  former  governments  of  Louisiana.  The  prin- 
ciples of  the  Constitution  and  Government  of  the  United  Stnies 
are  a  sure  guarantee  to  you  that  it  will  be  preserved  to  you  sa- 
cred and  inviolate,  and  that  your  institution  will  be  perniitte'i 


iiiif'i 


The  Religious  Orders  of  IV omen,         397 


V  .'  i 


iiiotlier,  havinnj  siippliod  Texas  with  two  e8tal>lislnnerit8 — 
(ialvestoi!  ami  San  Antonio;  the  lirst  in  1847,  the  otlier 
live  years  later. 

The  ('olel)rate(l,  but  ill-starred  New  Eniijland  hou'^o  owed 
its  foundation  to  tlie  zeal  of  Rev.  .lolin  Thiiyer,  of  lioston. 
Ik'  resolved  to  found  a  cuvent  in  hin  native  city  ;  and,  for 
the  ]»iirj»o8e  of  raising  funds,  proceeded  to  Europe,  in  1803. 
Ki^'lit  years  later,  he  took  up  his  residence  |)ernmnently  in 
hiiuerick,  Ireland.  One  of  his  wannest  friends  was  a  gen- 
tleman named  Mr.  James  Ryan,  whose  two  i)ious  and  ac- 
complished daughters  offered  to  go  and  join  Father 
Tli:iyei*'s  proposed  convent.  The  convert-})riest  gladly  ac- 
cepted the  offer  of  the  young  ladies;  hut,  early  in  1815,  ho 
took  sick  and  died,  his  last  moments  being  consok-d  by  his  de- 
voted spiritual  children.  The  generous  Mr.  iiyan  enabled  his 
two  daughters  to  carry  out  their  iu)ble  design.  Tiioy  sailed  for 
Boston,  were  welcomed  by  I'isiiop  Cheverus,  and  proceeded 
to  the  UrsuHne  convent  of  Three  Rivers  to  nuike  their 
novitiate.  At  the  exi)iration  of  their  noviceship,  in  1818, 
Dr.  Matignon  went  to  Three  Rivers  and  escorted  the  Misses 
Eyan,  now  Sisters  Mary  Joseph  and  Mary  Magdalen,  to 
the  convent  which  the  Bishoj)  had  prepared  near  his  cathe- 
dral. Thus  began  an  institution  which,  for  sixteen  years, 
was  a  blessing  to  New  England.  In  1827,  the  Ursulines 
removed  to  their  new  convent  on  Mount  Benedict,  Charles- 
town.  Should  any  one  be  inclined  to  ask  about  the  after- 
history  of  this  house,  we  would  say :  "  You  are,  perhaps, 


\ 


to  govern  itself  according  to  its  own  voUintary  rules,  without 
interference  from  the  civil  authority.  Whatever  diversity  of 
shade  may  appear  in  the  religious  opinions  of  our  fellow-citi- 
zens, the  charitable  object  of  your  institution  cannot  be  indif- 
ferent to  any;  and  its  furtherance  of  the  wholesome  purposes 
of  society,  by  training  up  its  younger  members  in  the  way  they 
should  go,  cannot  fail  to  insure  it  the  patronage  of  the  Govorn- 
ment  it  is  under.  Be  assured  it  will  meet  all  the  protection 
which  my  office  can  give  it. 

"I  salute  you,  holy  sisters,  with  friendship  and  respect. 

"  ^Signed,)  Tu:  Jkffkrson." 


398  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

happy  in  having  never  seen  its  mined  and  blaclcened  walls 
in  having  never  heard  the  yell?-  of  the  brutal  mob  of  ruf- 
fians who  did  the  work  of  destruction,  on  the  11th  of 
August,  1834!"* 

The  Ursulines  have  about  twelve  estabhshments  and 
three  hundred  and  sixty  members  in  thj  United  States. 
They  have  flourishing  academies  and  convents  in  New 
York,  Cleveland,  St.  Louis,  New  Orleans,  Galveston,  San 
Antonio,  and  several  other  cities. 


The  Carmelite  Nuns. 
(a.d.  1790.) 

The  Discalceated  Nuns  of  the  Order  of  Our  Lady  of  Mount 
Carmel  were  founded  by  Blessed  John  Soreth,  a  French- 
man, the  twenty-sixth  General  and  first  reformer  of  the 
Carmelites.  They  received  the  approbation  of  Pope  Nicho- 
las v.,  in  1452.  The  rule,  which  had  been  mitigated,f  was 
restored  to  its  former  rigor  by  the  renowned  St.  Teresa,  in 
15G2,  since  which  date  it  has  been  strictly  observed  by  all 
her  daughters. 


*  In  vain  did  the  Lady  Superioress  endeavor  to  calm  tho  bar- 
barous horde.  Nothing  would  avail.  The  nuns  and  th^ir 
pupils  were  obliged  to  fly,  having  barely  time  to  dres.s,  and 
leaving  all  at  the  luei-cy  of  the  citizens  of  enlightened  Now  Eng- 
land! In  a  few  moments  all  was  in  a  blaze.  The  chapel  was 
violated,  the  vestments  torn  to  shreds,  the  Bible  burned  in 
mockei-y,  tho  plate  carried  ofl:';  and  one  wretch,  taking  the  .sa- 
cred species  from  the  tabernacle,  went  off  vomHing  his  blas- 
phemous boasts,  till,  struck  with  the  Divine  vengetnce,  he  be- 
came suddenly  a  maniac,  and  seemed  a  victim  to  devouring 
flames.  To  escape  the  agony  he  suffered,  he  seized  a  razor,  nnd 
cut  his  throat  from  oar  to  ear.  The  plunder  of  the  convent  did 
not,  however,  satisfy  tho  wretches.  They  broke  open  the  tombs 
of  the  deceased  nuns,  and,  finding  nothing,  left  the  uncoflined 
bodies  exposed  !— "The  Metropolitan,"  ^";>L  IV.,  1856. 

t  There  are  six  houses  of  tho  mitigated  Carmelites  in  the  United 
States.     The  members  teach,  attend  hospitals,  etc. 


11 1    ■■   i 


1,  a  Freneh- 


The  Religious  Orders  of  Women,        399 

The  Oaraielite  Nuns  were  tlie  first  female  religious  who 
established  themselves  within  the  limits  of  the  thirteen  origi- 
nal States.  In  1790,  Father  Charles  Neale  brought  with  him 
from  Belgium  to  our  shores  four  Cariiiclites,  three  of  whom 
were  Americans,  the  fourth,  an  English  lady.  Thus  one  of 
the  most  austere  Orders  in  the  Church  was  the  earliest  to 
naturalize  itself  in  the  young  liepublic.  The  three  Ameri- 
can ladies  were  natives  of  Maryland,  members  of  the  Mat- 
thews family.  They  had  made  their  religious  profession  in 
Delginin,  with  the  hope  of  eventually  establishing  the  Order 
in  this  country.  Happily  their  hoj^e  was  realized.  They 
t(X)k  ])ossession  of  their  humble  convent  in  Charles  county, 
Maryland,  on  October  15th,  1790.  In  1831,  the  nuns  removed 
to  IJaltimore.  At  present,  they  have  two  houses,  one  in 
Maryland,  the  other  in  Missouri,  with  thirty-one  religious. 
xV  branch  of  the  Baltimore  establishment  has  lately  been 
fomided  at  Rimouski,  Canada.  The  number  of  nuns  in 
each  convent  is  limited  to  twenty-one. 

The  life  of  these  holy  daughters  of  St.  Teresa  is  a  severely 
contemplative  one.  They  fast  eight  months  in  the  year, 
wear  woolen  clothing,  and  sleep  on  straw  beds.  They  recite 
the  canonical  office,  and  offer  up  their  prayers,  fasts,  and 
other  good  works  for  the  benefit  of  souls,  and  particularly 
for  those  who  labor  in  the  vineyard  of  Christ.  They  never 
eat  meat  except  in  case  of  necessity  when  the  physician  pre- 
scribes the  use  of  it.  But  in  the  midst  of  this  seeming  aus- 
terity, they  enjoy  a  peace  and  happiness  to  which  the  world 
is  a  stranger. 


\  i4 


■I'm": 


The  Vi.^itation  Nuns. 
(a.u.  1808.) 

The  Sisters  of  the  Visitation  of  Our  Lady  is  one  of  the 
oldest  Orders  in  this  countrv.  It  honors  as  its  founders  the 
holy  Bishop  of  Geneva,  St.  Francis  de  Sales,  and  the  pious 
lady  St.  Jane  Frances  de  Chantal.  Its  origin  in  America  is 
remarkable.     No  house  of  the  Order  sent  a  colony  to  our 


400  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

slioroe;  but  God  finding  in  Ireland  a  pious  virgin,  who 
sought  to  devote  herself  to  His  service,  led  her  reluctant  to 
the  Western  World,  and  disclosing  to  her  His  wishes  in  lier 
regard,  made  her  the  foundress  and  mother  of  the  numerous 
convents  of  the  Visitation  which  now  exist  in  the  United 
States. 

The  first  house  of  the  Order  was  founded  at  Annecy  ])y 
St;  Jane  Frances  de  Chantal  and  four  companions,  on  Trinity 
Sunday,  1610.  St.  Francia  de  Sales  drew  up  the  rules  and 
constitutions,  which  Pope  Urban  VIII.  approved  in  IG26. 
At  present,  teaching  is  the  great  object  of  tlie  pious  and  ac- 
complished Ladies  of  the  Visitation.  As  wise,  cultured,  and 
practical  educators  they  are  unsurpassed.  By  their  consti- 
tutions each  convent  is  independent  of  the  rest,  and  is  sub- 
ject to  the  Bishop  of  the  diocese.  The  members  are  divided 
into  choir  nuns,  associates,  lay,  and  out-sisters.  The  choir 
nuns  alone  are  obliged  to  chant  the  ofiice,  the  others  merely 
reciting  a  certain  number  ot  Paters  and  Aves.  Choir  sisters 
or  associates  fill  the  ofiices  of  the  hnuse ;  and  properly  no 
convent  should  have  more  than  thirty-three  members.  In 
our  devotion  to  the  Sacred  Heart  we  must  not  forget  that  a 
house  of  the  Visitation  was  its  cradle.  In  the  convent  of 
Paray-lc-Monial  lived  the  Blessed  Margaret  Mary  Alacoque, 
to  whom  our  Divine  Lord  displayed  His  Saci-ed  Heart,  in- 
flamed with  love,  but  wounded  by  neglect,  and  whom  He 
commissioned  to  establish  the  devotion  to  it  in  His  Church. 

Miss  Alice  Lalor,  a  pious  young  Irish  lady,  was  the  chosen 
instrument  of  Providence  for  the  establishment  of  the  Vis- 
itatioji  Kuns  in  the  United  States.  Her  history  is  a  confir- 
mation of  the  saying,  that  truth  is  stranger  than  fiction.  In 
company  with  her  parents,  she  arrived  in  America  in  1707. 
She  chose  as  her  confessor  the  saintly  Father  Leonard  Xeale, 
afterwards  Archbishop  of  Baltimore.  He  became  the  St. 
Francis  de  Sales  of  the  Xew  World  \  she  the  St.  Jane  F.  de 
Chantal.  The  foundation  of  the  first  house  may  be  dated 
from  1808,  though  it  was  eight  years  later  when  Miss  Lalor, 
iu)w  Mother  Teresa,  and  her  companions,  pronounced  their 


The  Religious  Orders  of  Women.        401 

solemn  vows  of  religion,  and  were  erected  by  the  Holy  See 
into  a  Convent  of  the  Visitation,  with  all  the  rights  and 
privileges  enjoyed  by  other  monasteries  of  the  Rule.  This 
was  the  Georgetown,  D.  C,  establishment — the  oldest  female 
iicadciuy  within  the  limits  of  the  thirteen  original  States. 
Soon  tlic'ir  fame  as  educators  spread  abroad,  and  their  num- 
here  increased,  thus  enabling  them  to  found  new  houses. 
Among  those  who  early  entered  the  Order  was  Miss  Vir- 
ginia Scott,  daughter  of  the  celebrated  General. 

At  present,  the  Visitation  Nuns  in  the  United  States  pos- 
sess eighteen  establishments,  each  of  which  has  its  acad- 
emy for  the  education  of  young  ladies.  The  Sisters  num- 
lier  about  five  hundred,  the  majority  of  whom  are  Amer- 
icans, and  natives  of  Ireland.  They  have  academies  in 
Brooklyn,  Wheeling,  Baltimore,  Washington,  Wilmington, 
Catonsville,  Frederick,  and  other  cities.  But  it  is  especially 
in  Marvland  and  the  District  of  Columbia  that  the  Order 
has  grown  and  taken  linn  root.  From  these  points  it  has 
radiated  in  all  directions. 


The  Sisters  of  Charity,     (a.d.  1809.) 
{Mother-House  at  Emmlttaburg,  Md.) 

What  is  a  oister  of  Charity  ? 

"  A  lady  vowed  to  serve  both  God  and  man, 
No  narrow  aims  hor  cherished  cares  control, 
She  does  all  faith,  love,  pity,  watching  can, 
To  heal  the  body  and  to  save  the  soul." 

Tlie  Sisters  of  Charity  were  founded  in  France  in  1633, 
liy  Madame  Le  Gras,  under  the  direction  of  St.  Vincent  de 
Paul.  The  object  of  this  noble  institute  was  to  bestow 
tvory  possible  care  on  the  poor,  the  sick,  the  oi'phan  or 
foundling,  prisoners,  the  insane,  and  the  afflicted  of  every 
ileseriptiou.  The  services  of  these  devoted  women  were 
iiiiiversally  sought  after.  Before  the  French  Kcvolution, 
tliey  counted  no  less  than  four  hundred  and  twenty-six 
establishments  in  Europe. 
26 


■t 


402  Catholicity  in  the  Lhiited  States. 

The  origin  and  growth  of  the  Daughters  of  Charity  in 
the  United  States  mark  the  marvelous  ways  of  God.  Their 
famous  foundress  in  America  was  Mother  Seton — a  pious 
and  gifted  lady,  whose  name  and  deeds  are  faniihar  to 
the  world.  In  1805,  in  the  face  of  countless  ditR. 
culties,  she  became  a  Catholic.  Three  years  later,  when  she 
opened  an  academy  at  Baltimore,  the  designs  of  Providence 
began  to  manifest  themselves  more  particularly  in  her  re- 
gard. Miss  Cecilia  O'Conway  became  her  first  companion. 
Through  the  generosity  of  a  young  convert,  Mr.  Samuel 
Cooper,  some  land  was  purchased  near  Emmittsburg,  Marj- 
land,  and  buildings  begun  for  a  Convent  of  Sisters  of  Char- 
ity. Here  Mother  Seton  and  four  associates  took  the  re- 
ligious habit  on  January  Ist,  1809.  The  Rules  and  Con- 
stitutions of  the  Daughters  of  St.  Vincent  de  Paul,  in 
France,  were  obtained ;  and,  with  some  modifications,  ap- 
proved by  Archbishop  CairoU,  were  adopted.  Thehumhle 
community  increased.  In  1812,  it  numbered  twenty  mem- 
bers. Two  years  later,  a  colony  of  the  Emmittsburg  Sisters 
went  to  Philadelphia  ;  and  in  1817,  Bishop  Connolly,  of 
New  York,  invited  them  to  take  charge  of  the  Catholic  or- 
phans of  his  city.  The  mother- house  contained  the  novi- 
tiate and  a  boarding-school  for  girls. 

The  success  of  the  Sisters  as  teachers  and  angels  of  char- 
ity became  known  far  and  wide,  and  they  spread  with  a 
rapidity  that  cannot  be  detailed  in  a  brief  notice.  In  lS4(i, 
the  New  York  houses  were  erected  by  Bishop  Hughes  into 
a  distinct  and  independent  community,  which  adheres  to  the 
original  rules,  constitutions,  dress,  and  customs  of  the  Society, 
as  established  by  Mother  Seton.  J^^  1850,  the  mother-house 
of  Emmittsburg,  with  all  its  branch-establishments,  assumed 
the  habit  w^om  by  the  French  Sisters ;  while  the  memhers 
renewed  their  vows  according  to  the  formula  adopted  in 
the  Society  of  St.  Vincent  de  Paul.  The  Emmittshur;: 
community  now  forms  a  province  of  that  great  Society; 
and,  at  present,  numbers  one  hundred  and  two  houses,  witii 
cne  thousand  one  hundred  and  fifty-one  members  iu  the 


The  Religions  Orders  of  Women.         403 

Tnited  States.*  They  conduct  lifty  schools,  thirty-eight 
orphan  asylums,  thirty  hosjntals,  and  one  academy,  St.  Jo- 
seph's at  Emmittsburg,  an  institution  which  ranks  very 
high  as  a  Catholic  female  seminary. 


The  Sistees  of  Charity  ok  St.  Yincent  dk  Paul. 

(a.d.  1809.) 

{Mother-House  at  Mt.  St.  Vineent,  N.  T.  City.) 

The  New  York  Sisters  of  Charity  now  represent  the  So- 
ciety as  founded  by  the  saintly  Mother  Seton.  Forming,  as 
they  do,  a  distinct  organization,  their  growth  and  labors 
justly  merit  a  distinct  notice. 

Ill  1817,  Bishop  Connolly,  of  New  York,  as  already  no- 
ticed, applied  to  the  Superior-General  of  the  Sisters  of  Char- 
ity, at  Emmittsburg,  for  some  Sisters  to  take  charge  of  an 
oi-phan  asylum  in  his  episcopal  city.  The  new  mission 
was  confided  to  the  pious  and  zealous  Sister  Ilose  White, 
and  two  companions.  On  the  13th  of  September,  they 
took  charge  of  St.  Patrick's  Asylum,  corner  of  Prince  and 
Mott  streets.  This  was  the  humble  beginning  of  thatflour- 
i.-<liing  community,  wdiose  establishments  of  mercy,  charity, 
and  education  now  cover  the  Kini)iie  State,  and  in  which 
alone  the  rule  and  dress  of  Mother  Seton  are  preserved 
unaltered. 

Some  time  after  his  accession  to  the  see  of  New  York, 
Dr.  Hughes  wished  to  establish  a  male  or})lian  asylum.  This, 
with  other  wants  in  view,  induced  the  zealous  prelate  to 
make  a  formal  petition  to  Emmittsburg  for  a  large  colony  of 
Sisters.  The  Council  of  the  mother-house  notified  him  that  his 
request  could  not  be  granted,  and  moreover,  that  the  Sisters 
would  no  longer  be  allowed  to  take  charge  of  male  orphans. 


*  From  Btatistics  furnished  by  Rev.  Mother  Mary  Eupheraia 
Blenkuisop,  to  whom  the  writer  oAprosses  his  thanks. 


-rA 


r\ 


til    I 


404  CatJiolicity  in   the  Uniled  States. 

The  BIslioi)  then  corresponded  with  the  Snperior-General 
reprcseiitin<^  the  urgent  necessities  of  his  diocese ;  and  the 
result  was  the  estabHshment  of  a  separate  mother-house  at 
New  York,  of  which  J)r.  Hughes  may  ])e  considered  tlie 
founder.  Tlie  members  who  did  not  desire  to  remain  under 
the  new  order  of  things,  were  left  at  perfect  liberty  to  go 
to  Emmittsburg,  Of  the  tifty  Sisters  at  that  time  in  the 
dioceses,  thirty-one  remained ;  and  the  8tli  of  September, 
1840,  the  Feast  of  the  Immaculate  Conception  of  the  Most 
Blessed  Virgin,  Dr.  Hughes  constituted  the  Sisters  of  Char- 
ity in  his  diocese,  a  separate  comnmnity,  under  the  title  of 
the  "  Sif<Mrs  of  Charity  of  St.  Vincent  de  PaiilP  Pius  IX., 
by  a  "  '  '  of  June,  1847,  approved  the  new  organization. 
and  oo-c.  :ed  npon  it  all  the  rights  and  privileges  granted 
to  the  Sisters  of  Charity  in  France  or  America. 

Irom  '^his  U  rward,  the  growth  and  spread  of  the 
Society  have  been  little  short  of  w(mderful.  In  1849,  a 
house  was  opened  at  Halifax,  N.  S.,  and  year  after  year 
other  establishments  were  fonnded.  Archbishop  lluglies 
purchased  the  beautiful  property  known  as  Forrest's  Castle 
and  grounds  on  the  Hudson,  as  a  proper  site  for  the  mother- 
house  and  chief  Academy  of  his  cherished  spiritual 
Daughters.  He  laid  the  corner-stone  of  the  new  edilice  in 
September,  1857,  and  in  September,  1859,  Mount  St. 
Vincent's  Academy  was  formally  o[)ened.  Here  the  pious 
and  cultured  Daughters  of  Mother  Seton  give  an  education 
that  for  breadth  and  excellence  is  worthy  of  admiration. 

The  Sisters  of  Charity  of  St.  Vincent  de  Paul  number  six 
hundred  members,  in  thirty-seven  houses  and  forty-eight 
dependencies,  principally  in  the  Middle  and  New  England 
States.  They  conduct  sixteen  academies,  forty-eight  schools, 
thirteen  orphan  asylums,  and  two  hospitals.  The  Supc- 
riorei=s,  Mother  M.  Eegina  Lawless,  was  born  in  Ireland,  and 
\s>  a  lady  possessed  of  many  emhient  qualities. 

"  Where  want  and  aflBiction  on  mortals  attend, 
The  Sister  of  Charity  there  is  a  friend !  " 


The  Religious  Oi-ders  of  Women.         405 


The  Sisters  of  Loretto. 
(a.d.  1812.) 

The  Sisters  of  Loretto,  or  tlie  Friends  of  Mary  at  tlie  foot 
of  tlie  Cross,  were  founded  in  Kentucky  in  1812,  by  the  holy 
missionary,  Rev.  Charles  Nerinckx.  The  chief  object  of 
the  institute  is  the  sanctification  of  the  members  and  the 
relifjious  instruction  of  girls.  Speaking  of  the  early  Sisters 
of  Loretto,  the  famous  Bishop  Flaget,  who  knew  them  well, 
and  who  knew  sanctity  well,  said,  they  "were  the  edification 
of  all  who  knew  them  ;  their  singular  piety  and  penitential 
lives  reminding  one  of  all  that  we  have  read  of  the  ancient 
monasteries  of  Palestine  and  Thebais." 

The  mother-house  of  the  Order  is  at  Loretto,  Marion 
county,  Kentucky,  in  which  State  these  Sisters  conduct  a 
large  number  of  educational  establishments.  They  have 
houses  at  Cape  Girardean,  Mo. ;  Florissant,  Mo. ;  Mont- 
gomery, Ala. ;  Denver,  Colorado  ;  Santa  Fc,  Xew  Mexico  ; 
and  other  cities.  The  Sisters  of  Loretto  number  three  hun- 
dred and  twenty-six  members,  and  dii-ect  about  forty  acade- 
mies and  schools. 


't^l^ 


\   I 


«tl 


I  '! 


The  Sisters  of  Charity  of  Nazareth, 
(a.d.  1812.) 

The  Sisters  of  Charity  of  Nazareth  were  founded  in 
Kentucky  in  1812,  by  the  Right  Ilev.  John  B.  David,  coad- 
jutor Bishop  of  Bardstown.  What  has  been  said  of  the 
Sisters  of  Loretto,  instituted  at  the  same  time,  might 
with  equal  truth  be  repeated  of  the  Sisters  of  Charity 
of  Xazareth.  It  was  especially  during  the  late  civil  war 
that  these  noble  women  proved  their  sublime  charity  and 
heroism.  The  Order  numbers  two  hundred  and  ninety 
members,  and  conducts  one  hospital,  one  infirmary,  one 
orphan  asylum,  and  about  twenty  schools  and  iicademies  in 
Kentucky,  and  has  other  houses  in  Ohio  and  Mississippi. 
The  mother-house  is  at  Bardstown,  Ky. 


T  ■i 


4o6  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

The  Ladies  of  the  Sacked  Heart. 
(a.d.  1818.) 

Of  the  Orders  instituted  within  the  present  century,  none 
has  obtained  a  more  extended  development,  or  been  tlie 
occasion  of  more  recognized  good,  than  the  Ladies  of  the 
Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus.  None  is  better  known  in  the  United 
States.  Little  more  than  half  a  century  has  elapsed  since 
the  first  small  colony  of  its  members  reached  our  shores ; 
and,  to-day,  the  Convents  of  the  Sacred  Heart  range  from 
the  St.  Lawrence  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

This  Order  was  founded  in  France  at  the  beginning  of  the 
present  century,  by  Madame  Sophie  Louise  Barat,  who 
wisely  governed  it  for  nearly  fifty  years.  The  Ilule,  which 
is  based  on  that  of  the  Society  of  Jesus,  was  drawn  up  by 
the  learned  Father  Yarin,  S.J.,  and  solemnly  approved  by 
Pope  Leo  XII.,  in  1826.  The  Ladies  of  the  Sacred  Heart 
may  be  considered  as  cloistered  religious,  though  not  con- 
fined to  one  particular  house.  They  are  devoted  to  the 
education  of  young  ladies,  including  in  their  duties  the  gra- 
tuitous instruction  of  the  poor.  The  novitiate  lasts  for  two 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  the  nuns  take  simple  vows  of 
poverty,  chastity,  and  obedience.  Some  years  later  the 
solemn  vows  are  taken  at  profession.  The  dress  and  veil 
are  black,  with  a  plain  white  cap,  and  abroad  they  wear  a 
cloak  and  plain  black  bonnet.  The  choir  sisters  wear  sus- 
pended on  the  breast  a  silver  cross  with  the  inscription : 
"  Spes  unica,  cor  unum  et  anima  una  in  corde  JesuP 

The  introduction  of  this  Order  in  1818,  is  due  to  the  zeal 
of  Bishop  Dubourg  of  New  Orleans.  In  that  year  lie 
obtained  five  members  from  France,  Madame  Duchesne 
being  superioress  of  the  little  band.  Their  first  house  was 
at  Florisfant,  Missouri.*  Establishments  at  Grand  Coteau, 
La. ;  St.  Louis,  Mo. ;  and  St.  Charles,  followed  as  years 
passed  on.     In  1840,  the  distinguished  Madame  Gallitzin,t 

♦  This  convent  was  closed  about  twenty  years  ago. 

t  A  cousin  of  Prince  Gallitzin,  the  Apostle  of  the  Alleghanies. 


The  Religions  Oi'ders  of  Women.        407 

then  Provincial  of  the  Order,  fouiuled  a  mission  and  opened 
an  academy  among  the  Pottawutamics  on  Sugar  Creek, 
Kansas.  Ilere  the  Sisters  collected  fifty  chiMrcn  in  less 
than  a  month.  They  have  continued  to  this  day  to  bestow 
on  the  daughters  of  the  red  man  the  best  instruction  that 
the  whites  enjoy. 

In  1841,  Bishop  Hughes,  anxious  for  the  spiritual  im- 
provement of  his  diocese,  sought  an  Order  of  women  trained 
to  give  the  highest  possible  education.  He  deemed  the 
Ladies  of  the  Sacred  Heart  best  litted  to  realize  his  object ; 
and  under  the  guidance  of  Madame  (Tallitzin,  a  house  was 
founded  at  New  York.  After  various  changes  of  residence, 
the  Sisters  finally  took  possession,  in  1846,  of  their  present 
beautifully  situated  Convent  and  Academy  at  Manhattan- 
villa,  JS'ew  York  City. 

At  present,  the  Ladies  of  the  Sacred  Heart  have  twenty 
Convents,  numbering  eight  hundred  and  nhieteen  members, 
in  Xew  York,  Missouri,  Ohio,  Pennsylvania,  Ehode  Island, 
Michigan,  Louisiana,  and  Kansas.  They  conduct  twenty 
academies,  fifteen  schools,  and  two  orphan  asylums.*  Thus 
has  the  little  conmiunity  of  five  pious  and  accomplished 
ladies,  who  landed  on  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi,  gone  on 
steadily  increasing  like  the  laughing  stn^am  that  trickles 
down  the  rocks,  and  swells  at  last  to  a  mighty  river. 


> 


The  Sisters  of  St.  Joseph. 

(a.d.  183G.) 

The  Congregation  of  the  Sisters  of  St.  Joseph  was  founded 
in  France,  in  1650,  by  Mgr.  Henry  de  Maupas,  Bishop  of 
Pay,  who  established  it  at  the  suggestion  of  Father  Petei* 
Medaille,  a  celebrated  missionary  of  the  Society  of  Jesus. 
Eveiything  included  in  the  words,  charity,  mercy^  education 
claims  the  attention  of  these  devoted  Sistei's.  The  modest 
Daughter  of  St.  Joseph,  in  her  plain,  loose,  black  dress,  with 

*  Letter  of  Madame  Sarah  Jones,  Superioress. 


4o8 


CatJiolicity  in  the  United  States. 


wooden  crucifix  on  the  white  kerchief,  can  be  found  in  the 
hospitals  of  tlie  poor,  the  asylums  of  the  fallen,  the  cell  of 
the  prisoner,  and  the  halls  of  the  academy,  her  presence 
brighteninj:^  the  pathway  of  the  afflicted,  and  diffuBin^  on 
every  side  the  blessings  of  peace,  consolation,  and  instnio- 
tion. 

Each  convent  is  governed  by  a  prioress,  an  intendunte, 
and  a  coadjutress.  On  Sundays  and  holidays  the  members 
say  in  common  in  the  chapel,  the  Little  Office  of  the  Bles^^od 
Virgin,  and  they  recite  daily  the  Little  Office  of  tlie  Holy 
Cliost,  the  Litany  of  the  Holy  Name  of  Jesus,  the  Litany 
of  Loretto,  and  that  of  St.  Joseph  with  the  Itosary.  They 
meditate  twice  a  day  and  fast  every  Saturday.  The  novi- 
tiate is  prolo  iged  to  two  years,  after  which  they  take  simple 
vows,  from  which  the  Bishop  can  dispense  them. 

In  1836,  the  United  States  welcomed  the  Daughters  of 
St.  Joseph.  Tn  that  year  six  Sisters  under  the  auspices  of 
Bishop  Rosati,  of  St.  Louis,  opened  an  establishment  in  Illi- 
nois. This  little  band  soon  increased.  At  the  invitation  of 
Bishop  Kenrick,  of  Pliiladelphia,  a  few  Sisters  assumed  the 
care  of  St.  John's  Oi-phan  Asylum.  In  1851,  the  Bishop  of 
Toronto,  Canada,  introduced  them  into  his  diocese,  where 
they  now  have  several  houses  and  flourishing  academies. 
Four  years  later  they  opened  a  school  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.; 
and  during  the  hibt  twenty  years  they  have  spread  so  rapidly 
that  at  present  they  have  establishments  in  nearly  every  dio- 
cese in  the  United  States.  The  Sisters  of  St.  Joseph  count 
about  fifteen  hundred  members.  They  conduct  forty-two 
academies,  twenty  select  schools,  twenty  asylums,  and  nine 
hospitals.  They  are  also  specially  charged  with  the  instruc- 
tion of  the  colored  children  of  the  South.  But  their  labors 
cannot  easily  be  summed  up  in  figures. 

SiSTEES  OF   PkOVIDENCE  OF  THE  HoLY  ChiLDHOOD  OF  JeSUS. 

(a.d.  1840.) 
The  Sisters  of  Providence  were  founded  in  France,  in 
1812,  by  Kev.  Father  Dujarie,  and  Mile.  Zoe  de  Uoscuat, 


II I 


The  Religious  Orders  of  Wouie)i.         409 

ilaiiglitcr  of  a  Nonnaii  count.  Iii  IHJ^O,  I'isliop  I'nite,  of 
ViiiccMincs,  Indiana,  invited  a  colony  of  these  reli<jjioii8  to  liiri 
roiiiotc  diocese.  Six  Sisters  were  chosen  for  the  mission,  and 
after  a  i)Iea8ant  voyage  readied  New  Yorlv.  A  lt)n<j^  and 
tedious  journey  of  thiee  weeks  over  rough  roads,  rocks,  and 
rivers  brought  them  tt  Vincenncs.  The  saintly  Dr.  J>rutc 
hud  just  died.  But  the  Sisters  lost  no  time  in  reaching  their 
new  residence  at  St.  Mary's  of  the  Woods,  where  an  un- 
tiiiislied  house  was  to  be  their  ccivent,  a  log-cahin  their 
cliapel,  and  a  board  their  altar.  Thus  did  the  Sisters  of 
Providence,  with  no  aid  but  Providence,  begin  their  mission 
ill  a  new  land,  whose  hmguage  they  knew  not,  with  nothing 
but  a  wilderness  around  them  and  actual  destitution  staring 
them  in  the  face.  But  they  triumphed  over  every  obstacle. 
In  July,  1841,  the  Sisters  opened  their  academy — an  institu- 
tion whose  prosperity  has  kept  pace  with  the  course  of  years. 
Besides  the  mother-house  at  St.  Mary's  of  the  Woods,  they 
now  conduct  twenty-four  branch  establishments  in  Indiana, 
Texas,  and  Idaho,  in  which  upwards  of  four  thousand  chil- 
dren receive  the  -instruction  suited  to  their  different  stations 
in  life. 


•1^; 


■:m 


The  Sisters  of  Kotre  Dame. 
(a.d.  1840.) 

The  Sisters  of  Noti'e  Dame  were  founded,  in  France,  in 
1S04,  by  Mile.  Marie  Eose  Julia  Billiart,  better  known  as 
Mother  Julia.  They  devote  themselves  to  the  education  of 
Youtli,  especially  oi^phans  and  the  children  of  the  poor.  TJy 
the  zeal  of  Archbishop  Purcell,  of  Cincinnati,  a  colony  0^ 
these  excellent  religious  was  brought  to  the  United  States, 
ill  1S40.  Their  diffusion  was  like  many  othei*  Orders — rapid. 
At  the  present  time  the  Sisters  of  N^otre  Dame  possess  over 
twenty  convents  in  Maryland,  Ohio,  Massachusetts,  and  other 
States.  Their  numerous  institutions  of  charity  and  learning 
are  the  admiration  of  all  who  know  them. 


»  \   ' 


4IO  Catholicity  in  the   United  States. 

Tiip,   SisTKiiH  or  TFii:  iroLY  Cross, 
(a.d.  1«43.) 

The  Sisters  of  the  Holy  (Jross  were  founded  in  France  in 
1834,  by  the  Abbe  Morenu.  Tlieir  rules  and  constitntioiis 
were  approved  by  Pius  IX.  in  1857.  A  number  of  fl 
good  religious  first  came  to  the  United  States  in  lS4li;  ami 
their  establishments  liave  multiplied  in  an  astoiiishin<^  uian- 
ner  during  the  last  third  of  a  century.  Education  and  iili 
works  of  mercy  and  charity  come  within  the  scope  of  their 
institute.  At  present,  the  Sisters  of  the  Holy  Cross  tunnbcr 
two  hundred  and  fifty  religious,  and  have  establishments  in 
Indiana,  Illinois,  Wisconsin,  Louisiana,  Pennsylvania,  Mary- 
land,  and  New  York.  They  conduct  numerous  schools  and 
academies,  the  principal  of  which  are  St.  Mary's  Academy, 
Notre  Dame,  Indiana ;  and  St.  Catharine's  Normal  Institute, 
a  training-school  for  Catholic  lady-teachers,  Baltimore,  M-^. 


i 


I 

j 

il 

|i 
i 

i 

h 

I 


The  Sisters  of  Mercy. 
(a.d.  1843.) 

"Thus  many  years  she  lived  a  Sister  of  Mercy  ;  frequenting 
Lonely  and  wretched  roofs  in  the  crowded  lanes  of  the  city. 
Where  distress  and  want  concealed  themselves  from  the  sunlight; 
Where  disease  and  sorrow  iu  garrets  languished  neglected." 

—Longfellow. 

Ireland,  which  has  given  the  American  Church  such  a  large 
nvmber  of  its  zealous  clergy  and  so  many  of  its  learned  and 
devoted  prelates,  has  none  the  less  contributed  towards  peo- 
pling this  land  with  religious  communities.  It  is  to  that 
Isle  of  Faith  that  we  are  indebted  for  the  Sisters  of 
Mercy. 

Miss  Catherine  McAuley,  the  revered  Foundress  of  this 
noble  Institute,  was  born  near  Dublin.  After  an  eventful, 
but  pious  youth,  she  resolved  to  give  herself  entirely  to 
God,  by  serving  His  poor  and  by  alleviating  human  misery. 
For  this  purpose,  she  emj>loyed  her  fortune  in  establishing 


Longfellow. 


The  Religions  Orders  of  Women.        4 1 1 

!i  pcrinancnt  institution  in  Biigfijott  street,  tlie  little  cliaitul 
of  whicii  was  blessed  by  Archbishop  Murray,  in  September, 
l»(i>7,  and  placed  un<ler  the  protection  of  Our  Lady  of 
Moiry.  A  few  ladies  joined  the  devoted  Miss  Me  A  u  ley. 
Dr.  ]\[urray  api)roved  their  mode  of  life,  and  authorized 
tlioiii  to  assume  a  distinct  religious  'Iress^  and  to  visit  the 
Hck  in  private  houses  and  public  hospitals.  They  also 
opened  a  school,  received  orphans  and  homeless  girls.  Such 
was  the  commencement  of  the  Sisters  of  Mercy.  Their 
Rules  and  Constitutions  were  formally  sanctioned  by  the 
Holy  See  in  July,  1841.  When  the  terrible  cholera  swept 
Ireland,  Miss  McAuley  and  her  religious  proved  their  sub- 
lime heroism. 

By  the  zealous  efforts  of  Bishop  O'Connor,  a  colony  of 
seven  Sisters  of  Mercy  was  obtained  for  Pittsburg  in  1843. 
Three  years  later,  Dr.  Hughes  of  New  York  enriched  his 
diocoiic  with  another  house.  The  Order  now  diffused  itself 
over  the  whole  country  with  a  rapidity  almost  unparalleled 
in  the  history  of  religious  communities.  Though  in  this 
Republic  but  a  third  of  a  century,  the  Sisters  of  Mercy 
number  over  thirteen  hundred  and  iifty  members,  and  con- 
duct about  fifty  asylums,  eighty  academies  and  select 
schools,  and  a  countless  number  of  free  schools.  The 
American  Sisters  have  had  many  occasions  of  exercising 
their  tender,  but  fearless  chanty  on  the  battle-field  and  in 
the  wards  of  disease  and  death.  To  quote  the  beautif id 
lines  of  Longfellow : 

"  Then  it  came  to  pass  that  a  pestilence  fell  on  the  city. 

1(1  «  «  4t  )|i  Id 

Wealth  had  no  power  to  bribe,  nor  beauty  to  charm  the  op- 
pressor ; 
But  uU  perished  alike  beneath  the  scourge  ot  his  anger; 
Only,  alas!  the  poor,  who  had  neither  friends  nor  attendants, 
Crept  away  to  die  in  the  alms-house,  home  of  the  homeless. 

■¥  H(  '  )|i  it-  if.  It 

Thither  by  day  and  by  night  came  the  Sister  of  Mercy.    The 
dying 


Sif 


412  Catholicity  in  the   United  States. 

Looked  up  into  her  face,  and  thought  indeed  to  behold  there 
Gleams  pf  celestial  light  encifclo  her  forehead  with  splendor. 
Unto  their  eyes  it  seemed  the  lamps  of  the  city  celestial, 
Into  whose  shining  gates  ere  long  their  spirits  would  enter." 

— Evangel  ine. 


' 


Sisters  of  the  Good  Shepherd, 
(a.d.  1843.) 

No  human  misery  exists  for  which  the  Catholic  Cliuich 
has  not  instituted  relief  and  consolation.  As  an  instaiiec 
of  this,  let  us  cite  the  lahors  of  these  noble  ladies— the 
Sisters  of  our  Lady  of  Charity  of  the  Good  Sliepliord. 
They  were  founded  in  France,  in  1(151,  by  the  Venerable 
John  Eudes ;  and  their  institute  was  confirmed  a  quarter  of 
a  century  later,  by  Pope  Alexander  VII.  The  Order  of 
the  Good  Shepherd  has  for  its  object  the  reformation  of 
fallen  women  and  girls.  The  unfortunate  female  wlio  had 
been  decoyed  from  virtue  is  withdrawn  from  her  abode  of 
infamy,  and  under  the  shelter  of  the  House  of  the  Good 
Shepherd,  the  means  is  afforded  her  of  extricatinji;  herself 
from  her  career  of  vice  and  degradation,  in  the  peaceful 
retreat  and  quiet  home  which  is  prepared  for  this  most  piti- 
able, lost,  and  abandoned  part  of  the  human  family.  In  re- 
forming their  penitents,  the  Sisters  entirely  trust  to  moral 
means.  Their  success  is  one  of  the  best  proofs  of  the  beauty 
and  divinity  of  religion,  and  its  power  over  the  hniutin 
heart. 

The  first  convent  of  this  Order,  founded  at  Louisville, 
Kentucky,  in  1843,  was  due  to  the  zeal  of  the  good  l>isliop 
Flaget.  At  present,  there  are  seventeen  Ilonses  of  the 
Good  Shepherd  in  our  country,  with  about  five  hundred 
religious.  New  York,  Brooklyn,  Boston,  St.  Louis,  riiila- 
deli)liia,  Louisville,  Baltimore,  Cinciimati,  Chicago,  ^<e^v 
Orleans,  Newark,  and  other  large  cities  are  so  fortunate  as 
to  posse^^  these  inestimable  establishments.  An  asylum  for 
penitents  is  attached  to  each  convent;  while  in  eacli  prov- 
ince of  the  Order  there  is  a  house  for  Magdalens,  or  con- 


The  Religious  Orders  of  Women.         413 

verted  2>cn!tent8,  wlio  make  the  religions  vows  under  the 
Rule  of  St.  Teresa. 

The  SchooL  Sisters  of  Notre  Dame. 
(A.D.  1847.) 

The  School  Sisters  of  Notre  Dame  were  founded  in  1597, 
hv  Mother  Alice  Leclerc,  under  the  direction-  of  Blessed 
Peter  Fourrier.  In  1847,  three  or  four  Sisters,  under  the 
(Tiiidanee  of  Mother  M.  Caroline  Friese,  came  to  the  United 
States,  and  opened  a  house  at  Milwaukee.  New  founda- 
tions were  soon  made ;  and  at  present  the  School  Sisters  of 
Xotre  Dame  have  establishments  in  Wisconsin,  Maryland, 
New  ffersey,  New  York,  Kentucky,  Illinois,  Michigan,  Mis- 
souri, Iowa,  and  Minnesota.  In  1875  they  had  one  hundred 
and  seven  houses  and  over  eight  hundred  professed  mem- 
Iters.  Of  the  many  excellent  academies  conducted  by  this 
Order,  the  chief  is  St.  Mary's  Institute,  a  young  ladies' 
academy  of  the  first  rank,  at  Milwaukee. 

The  Presentation  Nuns. 
(a.i).  1854.) 

The  Presentation  Nuns  were  founded  in  Cork,  in  1777, 
by  the  saintly  Miss  Nano  Nagle,  and  approved  by  the  Holy 
See  six  years  later.  They  became  cloistered  religious  in 
1805,  and  Pius  Vll.  sanctioned  their  Rules  and  Constitu- 
tions. The  chief  object  of  the  Order  is  the  instruction  of 
tlie  poor.  In  1854,  the  United  States  weleomed  a  colony  of 
the  pious  Daughters  of  Miss  Nagle.  At  the  ])resent  time, 
tliey  have  five  convents  in  New  York  and  California,  and 
about  one  hundred  and  fifty  religious. 

The  Little  Sisters  of  the  Poor, 
(a.d.  18G8.) 

The  Little  Sisters  of  the  Poor  are  one  of  the  youngest 
Orders   in   the    Church,    and    onf    nf    fbf    latest    that   bas 


I 


414  Catholicity  in   the  United  States, 

blessed  our  country.  Though  little  in  name^  they  are  great 
in  works.  These  Sisters  were  founded  in  France,  in  1840 
by  Rev.  Father  Aug.  Le  Pailleur.  They  devote  their  lives 
to  the  care  of  the  old,  the  helpless,  the  infirm  of  every 
class  and  creed.  In  1868,  seven  Little  Sisters  came  from 
the  mother-house  in  France  to  establish  the  first  American 
house  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

At  preseiTt,  they  number  two  hundred  religious,  and  con- 
duct eighteen  houses  situated  in  all  the  principal  cities  of 
the  Union.  The  number  of  inmates  in  these  establish- 
ments is  at  least  two  thousand.  The  Little  Sisters  have  no 
fund,  no  State  aid,  but  depend  entirely  on  charity.  Daily 
they  are  obliged  to  go  around  collecting  money,  old  cloth- 
ing, meat  and  bread,  for  the  support  of  their  large  families 
of  aged  and  infirm  persons.  Their  noble  efforts  in  the 
cause  of  charity  is  known  but  to  God ;  and  their  glorious 
record  is  kept  on  the  pages  of  the  Great  Book  on  high. 


Here  we  are  reluctantly  obliged  to  conclude  these  brief 
sketches,  though  many  Orders  of  devoted  religious  women 
have  not  so  much  as  been  mentioned. 


these  brief 
ions  women 


The  Religious  Orders  of  Women,  415 


STATISTICS  OP  THE  CHIEF  RELIGIOUS    ORDERS    OP  WOMEN  IN  THE 

UNITED  STATES. 

(A.D.  1876.) 


Nahis  or  Obbsb. 


OQ 


_       » 

^15 


•s 


3 
O 

n 


a  .2  a  s' 

aj  o    a  '2 

"O  o  -r   S* 

y  2   "■    ® 

■<)  CO  ■*!  Wj 


o 
o 


I 


I 

a 
u 
•E 

a 


5 


O  |tn 


Urfinlincs 

Carmelites 

Visitation  Nuns 

Sisters  of  Charity,  (Emmittebiirg, 

Md.)   

Sisters  of  Charity,  (New  York) 

Sist  3rs  of  Loretto 

Sisters  of  Charity  of  Nazareth 

Ladied  of  the  Sacred  Heart 

Dominican  Nuns 

.Sisters  of  Our  Lady  of  Mercy 

Sisters  of  St.  Joseph 

Sisters  ol  the  Holy  CroBB 

Sisters  of  Mercy  

Sisters  of  the  Good  Shepherd 

Sisters  of  Notre  Uame 

Sisters  of  Providence,  (of  the  Holy 

Childhood) 

School  Sisters  of  Notre  Dame 

Presentation  Nuus 

Gray  Nuns 

Sisters  of  Charity,  (of  the  House  of 

Providence) 

Servile  Sisters  

Poor  Himdmalds  of  Jesus  Christ... . 
Little  Sisters  of  the  Poor 


15851727'     1212'..  ..!..'  800       * 

IMinOOj       2 ..,  31  '  31 

16'01808     18  18  ..  ..'..'  85(it,  m 

i      I      i    i       ;    I 

102    150  88.30  1151  ,     ♦ 

81  16  48  18    2,  600  |  120 

...1.   I..,..|..i  326  i.... 

...L   i..'..'..i  890  !.... 


1809  1809 
1809  1809 
1812  1812 
18121812 
1*00  18181 
1296  182.J' 
1829  18291 

1650  18:^6 
1834  1843' 
18.301843 

1651  1843! 
1804  l&lOj 

1812  18;W 
1.W7  1847i 
1777  1864 
1747  1864 


20  2015  2 


819  j  m 


I  100$;.... 

60  42  ..  20  91500  ;1100 

I..  ..I..  250  I.... 

55  50  ;J0  80  20  13601  m 


17 
22 


108 
6 
3 


1848  1854  10 1 
1233  1870.  l' 

1849  1868  71 
1840  1868;  18' 


500 
860$ 


looo 

.'..l..i  150 
.,  3|  2     28 


8   4    2     G4 

1..L.I      7 
5   11  li    62 

, .  L .  I . .    200 


*     * 


m  I  t 


360   60'  60 


m  ,130 


80  10 


200  100  100  40 


TO     ... 


I 


2 

10 

15' 


mi... 
8  18 

! 
16   37 

7'... 


I 


47 


*  Many  of  each  nationality. 

m  The  majority  of  the  members  belong  to  these  nationalities. 

t  A  few. 

JNot  certain  if  this  is  the  exact  number.  In  many  cases,  the  writer  found  It 
'mposi-ible  to  obtain  correct  statistics  in  rc<;;ard  to  nationality  ;  or,  indeed,  any  statis- 
tics at  nil.  To  the  various  Lady  Superioresses  to  w  hom  he  is  indebted  for  anything  the 
above  contains,  ho  returns  bis  warm  thanks. 

Besides  the  various  Orders  of  religious  women  enumerated  above,  there  are  in  the 
Inited  States  many  others,  namely:  Sisters  of  the  Third  Order  of  St.  Francis;  Sisters 
of  St.  Claire ;  Benedictine  Nuns  ;  Ladies  of  the  Incarnnte  Word ;  Sisters  of  Our  Lady 
of  Charity  ;  Daughters  of  the  Cross  ;  Oblate  Sisters  of  Providence,  (colored);  Sisters 
ot  Charity,  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  ;  Sisters  of  Notre  Dame,  of  Namur  ;  Sisters  of  the 
iioly  Names ;  Sisters  of  SI  Ann ;  Sisters  of  tlic  Poor  of  St.  Francis  ;  Sisters  of 
the  Precious  Blood  ;  Sisters  of  Christian  Charily  ;  Sisters  of  the  Agonizing  Heart  of 
•'psus;  Sisters  of  the  Holy  Childhood;  Sister  Servants  of  the  Imniaculnte  Heart  ; 
Sisters  of  the  Humility  of  Mary  ;  Sisters  of  the  Immaculate  Conception  ;  and  Sisters 
of  the  Holy  Family— In  all,/o>Vy/OHr  Religions  Orders  of  women  in  the  Union. 


ihi: 


ir^ 


m 


"Iji^ 


\^' 


II! 


Iiini 


MOTHER  SETON.* 
"  Her  children  rose  up  and  called  her  blessed."— Pbovbrbb. 

Elizabeth  Ann  Bayley,  better  known  as  Mother  Seton,  was 
born  of  American  parents,  in  New  York  City,  in  1774.  She  was 
brought  up  in  the  doctrines  and  practices  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church,  to  which  her  parents  and  all  her  friends  be- 
longed. Miss  Bayley  received  the  best  education  the  times  would 
afford,  and  from  an  early  age  was  remarkable  for  her  solidity  of 
mind  and  simple  nobility  of  character.  It  is  related  that  she 
wore  on  her  person  a  small  crucifix,  and  was  often  heard  to  ex- 
press her  astonishment  that  this  custom  was  net  more  general 
among  persons  of  her  own  communion. 

In  her  twentieth  year  she  married  William  Seton,  a  respect- 
able merchant  of  New  York.  A  voyage  undertaken  for  the  good 
of  her  husband's  health  led  to  her  conversion.  In  1803,  tfikinft 
with  her  her  eldest  daughter  Anna,  she  accompanied  Mr.  Seton 
to  Italy,  whither  he  went  by  the  advice  of  his  physicians.  How- 
ever, it  was  too  late.  Soon  after  reaching  Pisa,  he  expired,  leav- 
ing his  widow  to  provide  for  live  young  children. 

In  her  misfortune  and  isolation  in  a  foreign  land,  Mrs.  Seton 
found  true  friends  in  the  distinguished  family  of  the  brothers 
Philip  and  Anthony  Filicci.  They  took  a  deep  interest  in  her 
h;  ppiness.  Not  satisfied  with  welcoming  her  to  their  roof,  the.«e 
worthy  and  accomplished  gentlemen  were  more  sensible  to  the 
wants  of  her  soul  than  the  grief  of  her  heart,  and  the  virtues  of 
the  desolate  widow  inspired  an  ardent  desire  to  behold  her  a 
Catholic.  Mrs.  Seton's  dispositions  were  hopeful,  forwhethoraf 
Pisa  or  Florence  she  was  ever  attracted  to  the  churches,  wliich 
she  delighted  to  visit.  With  a  zeal  and  charity  beyond  all  praise 
the  two  brothers  undertook  to  instruct  her.  Their  collection 
of  letters,  and  controversial  compositions,  written  to  clear  the 
doubts  of  Mrs.  Seton,  give  the  very  highest  idea  of  the  learning. 
prudence,  and  excellent  judgment  of  these  wealthy  and  honor 
able  merchants  of  Florence.  When  she  was  desirious  to  return 
to  her  children  at  New  York,  Anthony  Filicci,  who  wished  to 
visit  America,  was  devoted  enough  to  embark  with  Mrs.  Seton 
to  continue  the  work  of  so  desirable  a  conversion. 

On  ner  arrival  in  her  native  city  she  frankly  avowed  her  de 
sign  to  her  family,  but  met  with  a  formidable  opposition.   They 

*  Chiefly  from  her  Life,  hy  Kev.  Dr.  C.  .f.  White. 
(416) 


The  Religious  Orders  of  Womeft.  417 

appealed  to  her  interest,  affection,  and  self-love  to  shauie  lier  of 
a  creed  professed  at  New  York,  as  they  said,  only  by  low  and 
ignorant  foreigners.  Nor  was  this  all.  They  placed  near  her 
Rev.  Dr.  Hobart,  one  of  the  ablest  men  of  his  Church,  and  after- 
wards Protestant  Bishop  of  New  York.  That  gentleman  under- 
took to  show  her  the  errors  of  the  Catholic  religion.  On  tlio 
other  hand,  by  the  advice  of  the  Messrs.  Filicci,  she  sought  the 
wise  counsels  of  Archbishop  Carroll,  the  Abbes  Ciievorus  and 
Matignon,  and  Father  Hurley,  O.S.A.  She  also  carefully,  and 
often  with  tears  in  her  eyes,  read  botli  sides  of  the  religious 
controversy.  At  first,  the  result  was  confusion,  darkness,  anguish 
of  mind,  sorrow  of  heart.  In  these  unhappy  moments,  she  would 
often  drop  on  her  knees,  call  on  God,  and  in  the  words  of  the 
poet  exclaim : 

"  If  I  am  right,  Thy  grace  impart, 
Still  in  the  right  to  pay  ; 
If  I  am  wrong,  oh  !  teaoli  my  heart 
To  find  the  better  way  ! " 


>■)« 


The  careful  study  of  the  "  Following  of  Christ,"  ''  Sermons  of 
Bourdaloue,-'  and  "  Life  of  St.  Francis  of  Sales  "  had  a  powerful 
influence  on  her  mind.  Speaking  of  the  first-mentioned  work 
she  pays  in  a  letter  to  Rev.  Dr.  Cheverus:  "  The  book  has  been 
my  consolation  through  the  severest  struggles  of  my  life,  and  in- 
deed one  of  luy  first  convictions  of  the  truth  arose  from  roflect- 
\u%  on  the  account  a  Protosttant  writer  gives  of  Kouipis  (tlie 
aiithorof  th)  '  Following  of  Christ'),  as  having  been  remarkable 
forliis  study  and  knowledge  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  fervent 
im\  in  the  service  of  God.  I  remember  falling  on  my  knees, 
find  with  many  tears  inquired  of  God,  if  ho  who  know  IlisS'^rip- 
tureswell,  and  so  ardently  loved  Him,  could  have  been  mistaken 
in  the  true  Faith.'' 

Finally  the  brilliant  light  of  faith  broke  on  her  soul — dark- 
ness vanished.  On  Ash  Wednesday,  1805,  she  went  to  old  St. 
Peter's — then  the  only  Catholic  place  of  worship  in  Now  York. 
Here  she  was  received  into  the  One,  Holy,  Catholic,  and  Apostolic 
Church  by  a  venerable  Irish  priest,  Rev.  Matthew  O'Brien,  in 
tiie  presence  of  the  congregation,  and  of  her  devoted  friend,  Mr. 
Anthony  Filicci.*  "Light  at  heart  and  cool  of  head,"  as  she 
terms  it,  Mrs.  Seton  returned  to  her  home  to  prepare  for  her 

*  "  Tills  excellent  man,"  writes  Rev.  Dr.  White,  "  whose  eminent  social  posl- 
li'iu  anil  ^'(juero;it,y  of  ehuracter  were  only  etiuallcil  by  hia  practical  piety  and 
«ai  for  relijilou,  died  a  few  years  ago  at  L?,crhorn." 

27 


¥ 


4i8 


CatJiolicity  in  the  United  States. 


first  colifession.  Wlien  it  was  over,  she  wrote :  ''  It  is  done— easv 
enougli.  The  kindest  and  most  respectable  confessor  is  this  Mr. 
O'Brien — with  the  compassion,  and  yet  firmness  in  tliis  work  of 
mercy  which  I  would  have  expected  from  my  Lord  Himself.  Our 
Lord  Himself  I  saw  alone  in  him,  both  in  his  and  my  part  of  this 
venerable  sacrament ;  for  oh  !  how  awful  those  words  of  unloos- 
ing after  a  thirty -years'  bondage.  I  felt  as  if  my  chains  fell  as 
those  of  St.  Peter,  at  the  touch  of  the  Divine  messenger."  Her 
first  communion  she  made  with  sentiments  of  the  greatest  awe 
and  love. 

The  noble  step  which  this  courageous  lady  took  in  embracing 
Catholicity  placed  her  under  the  ban  of  her  family.  By  her 
wealthy  friends  and  relatives  she  was  immediately  abandoned. 
To  shield  her  children  from  want,  Mrs.  Seton  opened  a  school 
at  Now  York.  However,  she  found  unwavering  friends  in  the 
Messrs.  Filicci.  As  long  as  she  lived,  she  received  from  these 
generous  and  warm-hearted  Italian  gentlemen,  an  annual  pen- 
sion of  about  $600,  not  including  more  considerable  donations 
■whenever  she  asked  them  for  her  orphans  and  patients. 

In  1808,  Rev.  Mr.  Dubourg,  President  of  St.  Mary's  College, 
Baltimore,  and  afterwards  Bishop  of  New  Orleans,  having  made 
the  acquaintance  of  Mrs.  Seton,  induced  her  to  go  to  Baltimore, 
and  open  a  school  for  girls.  This  occupation,  however,  did  not 
satisfy  the  zeal  of  the  young  widow.  She  longed  to  assist  the 
poor,  and  to  consecrate  her  life  to  God.  But  whence  wore  the 
resources  to  come  for  the  foundations  of  a  religious  establish- 
ment ?  At  this  very  time,  Mr.  Cooper,  a  young  convert,  left 
$8,000  to  Father  Dubourg  for  charitable  purposes.  The  result 
is  well-known.  The  Sisters  of  Charity  *  were  instituted  at  Era- 
mittsburg  by  Mother  Seton.  She  remained  Superioress  to  the 
date  of  her  holy  death  in  1821. 

It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  there  is  no  woman  of  this  cen- 
tury to  whom  the  Catholic  Church  of  the  United  States  owes  so 
much  as  to  Mother  Seton.  Her  checkered  life  and  sufferings 
but  added  to  the  beauty  of  a  character  truly  heroic.  On  her 
honored  tomb  might  well  be  inscribed: 


"  Here  let.  the  poor,  the  orphan  come  to  mourn  ; 
Let  mercy  weep,  for  this  is  Setou's  iim. 
Here  let  Religion's  sighs  and  tears  be  given  ; 
Ah  !  no ;  she  smiles  again,  and  points  to  Heaven. 


See  page  403. 


MOTHER  TERESA,* 
Foundress  of  the  Visitation  Nuns  in  America. 

In  the  religious  history  of  America  there  are  two  noble  women, 
fhining  characters  that  much  resemble  each  other.  One  came 
from  faithful  Ireland,  the  other  from  sunny  France.  One  found- 
ed a  religious  order  in  the  United  States,  the  other  in  Canada. 
Their  good  deeds  live  after  them — their  glorious  work  still  con- 
tinues.    They  are  Mother  Teresa  and  Mother  Bourgeois. 

Mother  Teresa,  better  known,  perhaps,  as  Miss  Alice  Lalor, 
was  the  foundress  of  the  Visitation  Nuns  in  America, and  was  born 
in  Queen's  County,  Ireland,  about  the  year  1766.  Her  parents 
were  pious  and  worthy  people.  Alice  was  brouglit  up  at  Kilken- 
ny, whither  her  family  removed  when  she  was  still  a  cliild.  She 
was  distinguished  from  her  brothers  and  sisters  by  her  great 
pioty.  Under  the  direction  of  Rev.  Mr.  Carroll,  the  parish  priest 
of  the  place,  she  made  rapid  progress  in  virtue.  Dr.  Lanigan, 
the  Bishop  of  the  diocese,  having  visited  Kilkenny  when  Miss 
Lalorwas  sixteen  years  of  age,  the  young  maiden  consulted  that 
prelate  on  her  desire  of  uniting  he/self  to  God  by  the  vow  of 
perpetual  virginity.  The  Bishop,  after  testing  her  sincerity, 
gave  her  permission  to  follow  her  design,  yet  without  leaving 
her  family. 

Miss  Lalor  continued  to  live  thus  for  some  years  in  the  world 
till  Dr.  Lanigan,  desirous  of  forming  a  religious  community  at 
Kilkenny,  invited  her  to  join  it.  \Vi(  li  joy  she  accepted  the  in- 
vitation. Her  parents,  however,  opposed  this  step.  They  in- 
tended to  emigrate  to  America,  and  would  not  part  with  their 
darling  daughter.  Accordingly,  in  1797,  she  sailed  with  her 
father  and  mother  for  the  United  States,  having  promised  the 
IMshop  to  return  to  Ireland  in  two  years  to  embrace  the  relig- 
ious sttato.  Such,  however,  were  not  the  designs  of  the  Almighty 
in  regard  to  this  virtuous  young  lady.  With  her  family  she  set- 
tled at  Philadelphia,  and  here  confided  her  projects  to  Father 
Leonard  Neale,  whom  she  took  as  her  director.  This  devoted 
priest  had  long  wished  to  found  a  religious  community  at  Phil- 
iidelphia;  but  he  was  yet  undecided  as  to  what  Order  would 
best  suit  the  wants  of  the  country.     He  showed  Miss  Lalor  that 


*  Chiefly  from  DeCourey's  "Catholic  Church  in  tlu' 
"The  Metropolitan,"  Vol.  III. 


United  States,"  and 

(419) 


|ii'*!ii 


420  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

America  needed  her  services  far  more  than  Ireland.  And  as  her 
confessor  invested  with  the  necessary  powers,  he  released  her 
from  her  promise  to  return.  Obedient  to  his  councils,  Alice 
joined  two  other  young  women  animated  by  a  similar  desire 
for  the  religious  state.  She  left  her  family  to  begin  under 
Father  Neale's  direction  a  house  for  the  education  of  gi.l^. 
Scarcely,  however,  had  the  new  institution  begun  when  the  yel- 
low fever  commenced  to  ravage  Philadelphia,  Many  people 
fled  from  the  scourge ;  among  others  the  parents  of  Miss  Lalor. 
They  conjured  her  to  accompany  them,  but  she  remained  un 
shaken  at  her  post,  and  beheld  her  two  companions  carried  off 
by  the  pestilence,  without  being  discouraged  in  her  resolution 
of  devoting  herself  to  God. 

In  1799,  Father  Neale  having  been  appointed  President  of 
Georgetown  College,  persuaded  Miss  Lalor  to  retire  to  the  Con- 
vent of  the  Poor  Clares  in  that  city,  in  order  not  to  be  exposed 
to  the  world  which  she  had  renounced.  In  company  with  a 
pious  lady  she  left  Philadelphia,  and  both  rendered  all  the  serv- 
ices they  could  to  the  Poor  Clares  as  teachers. 

Their  director  soon  advised  them  to  open  a  school  by  them- 
selves, which  they  did ;  and  their  rising  institute  received  an  ac- 
cession in  another  Philadelphia  lady,  who  brought  with  lier  a 
small  fortune.  This  money  was  employed  partly  in  the  purchase 
of  a  wooden-house,  the  site  of  which  is  still  embraced  in  the  con- 
vent grounds.  Father  Neale  on  becoming  coadjutor  to  Bishop 
Carroll,  continued  to  reside  at  Georgetown,  where  he  bestowed 
on  his  spiritual  daughters  the  most  active  solicitude.  The  holy 
prelate  incessantly  offered  his  prayers  to  God  to  know  to  what 
Rule  it  was  most  suitable  to  bind  the  new  society.  He  had  a 
great  predilection  for  the  Visitation,  founded  by  St.  Francis  of 
Sales;  and  a  circumstance  strengthened  the  conviction  of  both 
himself  and  Miss  Lalor,  that  in  this  he  followed  the  designs  of 
God.  Among  some  old  books  belonging  to  the  Poor  Clares,  was 
found  the  complete  text  of  the  Rules  and  Constitution  of  the 
Visitation,  although  the  nuns  were  wholly  unaware  that  they 
ever  possessed  the  volume. 

Bishop  Neale,  however,  failed  in  his  endeavors  to  obtain  tlie 
aid  of  some  Vi citation  Nuns  from  Europe  in  order  to  form  his 
American  novices  to  their  Rule.  Many  Catholics  also  blamed 
the  project  of  establishing  a  new  religious  community  in  the 
United  States,  fearing  to  excite  the  fanaticism  of  the  Protestants. 
But  the  clouds  of  difficulty  and  opposition  vanished  by  degi'oes. 

On  the  departure  of  the  Poor  Clares  for  Europe  in  1805,  Bishop 


nil, 


The  Religious  Orders  of  Women,         421 


to  obtain  tlie 
'  to  form  his 
also  blamed 

Qunity  in  the 

0  Protestants. 
d  by  do}?i"oe*. 
1805,  Bishop 


Keale  purchased  their  convent.  In  it  lie  immediately  installed 
tlie  "Pious  Ladies,"  (the  name  by  which  the  future  Visitation 
Nuns  were  then  known  in  Georgetown),  and  by  deed  of  June 
9th,  1808 — confirmed  four  years  after — transferred  the  property 
to  Alice  Lalor,  Maria  McDermott,  and  Mary  Neale. 

When  the  httle  community  was  erected  by  the  Holy  See  into 
a  convent  of  the  Visitation,  Miss  Lalor  became  first  Superioress 
under  the  name  of  Mother  Teresa.  In  1817,  Dr.  Neale  died 
Archbishop  of  Baltimore,  and  was  buried  in  the  convent  chapel 
which  his  zeal  and  his  affection  had  reared. 

Mother  Teresa  more  than  once  beheld  her  spiritual  daughters 
in  such  distress  that  human  prudence  commanded  them  to  dis- 
perse. But  she  was  a  brave  lady,  and  her  confidence  in  God 
was  unshaken.  She  continued  to  receive  postulants,  relying  on 
that  Providence  which  feeds  the  birds  of  the  air  to  maintain  her 
institute.  Among  those  who  entered  in  those  'lark  days  was 
Mrs.  V.  H.  Barber,  the  wife  of  the  famous  convert  minister. 

The  venerable  Mother  Teresa  lived  to  see  five  houses  of  her 
Order  established.  She  went  to  receive  the  reward  of  the  blessed 
in  the  fall  of  1846,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty  years.  Her  re- 
vered name  shall  pass  down  to  future  generations  as  one  of  the 
great  educators  and  saintly  women  of  the  nineteenth  century. 

The  bloBsom  opened  to  the  day, 

The  dew  of  heaven  refined, 
Could  naught  of  purity  display 

To  emulate  her  mind. 


If  hi 


MOTHER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS,* 
Foundress  of  the  Congregation  de  Notre  Dame. 

Margaret  Bourgeois  v'as  one  of  the  Christian  heroines  of  the 
seventeenth  century,  and  her  lioly  and  useful  iullueneo  Iiuh  been 
felt  in  America  for  over  two  hundred  years.  She  was  born  nt 
Troyes,  France,  in  1620.  Wliilo  yet  a  child  she  had  tlio  misfor- 
tune to  lose  her  mother.  At  an  early  age  she  exhibited  nmiked 
traits  of  charo,cter.  Even  in  her  tenth  year,  though  she  had 
never  seen  a  religious  community,  little  Margaret  was  often 
observed  assembling  children,  and  instilling  into  their  infant 
minds  a  sense  of  duty.  When  somewhat  older,  her  wortliy 
father  placed  her  at  the  head  of  his  household. 

However,  it  was  especially  when  she  reached  womanhood 
that  Miss  Bourgeois  made  rapid  progress  in  the  path  of  perfec- 
tion. In  Father  Jandret,  a  learned  and  virtuous  priest,  she 
found  a  wise  director.  She  wished  to  consecrate  herself  to  God 
by  a  vow  of  virginity.  This  her  confessor  forbade  her  to  do 
before  the  age  of  thirty  ;  but,  admiring  her  wdftderful  virtue,  lie, 
after  a  time,  permitted  lier  to  pronounce  this  sacred  vow  in  her 
twenty-third  year.  About  this  period  Father  Jandret  was  en- 
gaged in  forming  the  plan  of  a  new  religious  community,  which 
after  the  example  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  would  unite  in  their 
lives  the  active  and  contemplative  virtues.  The  Rule  was  given 
to  Miss  Bourgeois  and  two  other  young  ladies  to  be  observed ; 
and  the  three  novices  for  that  purpose  retired  to  a  spacious 
apartment  given  them  by  a  sister  of  De  Maisoneuve,  then  Gov- 
ernor of  Montreal,  in  Canada.  One  of  the  ladies  died,  a  second 
withdrew,  and  finally  Father  Jandret  gave  up  the  design  as  a 
fruitless  attempt.  But,  from  this  short  experience.  Sister  Bour- 
geois derived  lasting  advantages.  The  unsuccessful  eflforts  she 
then  made  under  the  directions  of  this  enlightened  priesl, 
served  as  a  rule  to  guide  her  in  the  great  work  she  was  one  day 
to  accomplish  in  the  wilds  of  Canada,  on  the  banks  of  the 
majestic  St.  Lawrence. 

Sovertil  singular  circumstances  convinced  Sister  Bourgeois 
that  it  was  the  will  of  her  Almighty  Master  to  begin  her  labors 
in  the  far  West;  and  without  delay  she  presented  herself  to  De 
Maisoneuve,  t  who  was  then  on  a  visit  to  his  native  Troyes, 


*  Chiefly  from  her  Life  by  Ransonet 

t  De  Maisoneuve  founded  the  city  of  Montreal.    He  was  a  man  of  stern 
rirtue,  stainless  character,  great  zeal  for  the  faith,  and  next  to  Charaplain  the 
most  noble  figure  in  the  early  history  of  Canada. 
(422) 


The  Religious  Orders  of  Women.  423 

offering  to  pass  under  his  protection  to  tho  Canadian  forests. 
Hilt  slio  was  alone,  guided  by  nauglit  save  tho  briglit  star  of 
ooiiti'louce  in  God. 

Father  Jandret  gave  her  liis  blessing,  and  approved  what  she 
(]i(l.  Yot  some  questioned  tho  prudence  of  tho  undertaking. 
In  her  own  mind  difficulties  arose.  Her  modesty  was  alarmed. 
Wliilo  thus  in  suspense,  a  vision  appeared  to  her  one  morning 
whilo  alone.  A  beautiful  lady  stood  before  her  and  said,  "  Do- 
part,  I  will  not  forsake  you,"  instantly  disappearing.  Tho 
courageous  woman  felt  strengthened  and  comforted. 

In  her  thirty-third  year  Sister  Bourgeois  distributed  all  her 
possessions  in  alms,  and  under  the  guidance  and  protection  of 
(rovernor  Do  Maisoneuve  sho  sailed  for  Canada.  In  the  fall  of 
lt;,"i;i,  slio  set  her  foot  for  the  first  time  on  tho  banks  of  the  St. 
Lawrence.  The  island  of  Montreal  was  then  a  dreary  and  deso- 
late wilderness.  There  was  not  even  a  chapel  in  which  to  cele- 
brate Mass.  A  rude  tent  was  the  only  temple  of  God,  and  a  tree 
(if  tlie  proud  forest  the  only  steeple. 

Sister  Bourgeois  now  began  the  work  of  her  sublime  mission. 
Witli  equal  care  and  charity  she  instructed  the  little  Indians 
and  the  children  of  the  settlers;  she  watched  and  served  the 
!<lck;  and  even  the  dead  received  from  her  benevolent  hands 
the  last  sad  services.  The  benefactress  of  the  poor  soldier,  sho 
washed  and  mended  his  garments.  Her  zeal  liko  the  sphere  of 
her  usefulness  was  boundless.  Thus  did  this  heroic  lady  spend 
her  first  five  years  in  Montreal.  But  she  was  alone — all  alone 
in  her  labors.  It  was  now  that  she  formed  the  idea  of  estab- 
lishing a  community  of  Sisters.  In  search  of  youthful  and 
devoted  hearts  to  share  her  holy  toils,  she  made  a  voyage  to  her 
native  France.  She  was  successful,  and  on  her  return  brought 
four  young  ladies.  In  a  stable  she  opened  her  new  community, 
giving  it  the  name  of  Congregation  de  Notre  Dame*  For  tho 
more  permanent  establishment  of  her  Institution  Mother  Bour- 
geois received  letters  patent  from  Louis  XIV.  To  her  religious 
she  proposed  two  .ihief  ends:  (1)  Their  own  sanctification ; 
(2)  That  of  their  neighbor.  Her  sisterhood  is  entirely  devoted 
to  female  instruction.  This  was  the  first  religious  society  founded 
in  the  New  World. 

When  it  was  firmly  established,  Mother  Bourgeois  resigned 
tlie  position  of  Superioress,  and  the  last  seven  years  of  her  life 
were  spent  in  special  preparation  for  death.     On  the  last  night 


*  Congregation  of  Our  Lady. 


m 


r  i 

u 


m 


424  Catholicity  iji  the  United  States. 

of  1699,  ono  of  the  HisterH  foil  dangerously  ill.  No  sooner  was 
the  saintly  foundrcHS  iiil"t)rmo(l  of  it  tlian  she  exclainuMi:  "jjy 
God!  accGt:*^^  the  sacritlce  of  my  life  rather  than  deprive  tlm 
community  of  that  dear  and  oxeellent  child." 

Her  prayer  was  inntantly  heard.  The  Siijiter  got  well,  imd 
Mother  Jiourgeois  was  seized  with  the  same  mortal  discHsc. 
AVith  a  holy  joy  she  bore  her  sulferings  for  twelve  days,  aiulou 
the  l:^th  of  January,  1700,  expired  in  her  eightieth  year.  Thus 
died,  amid  the  scene  of  her  toils,  the  famous  and  saintly  Murgant 
Bourgeois,  one  of  the  innnortal  women  of  America. 

Her  virtues  were  of  the  most  heroic  cast.  On  ono  occasion, 
learning  that  a  poor  soldier  had  no  bed,  she  sent  her  own  to 
him.  His  fellow-in-arms  came  to  ask  her  aid.  She  gave  him 
the  blankets.  On  another  occa.sion,  for  the  purpose  of  opoiiin;,' 
a  school  for  poor  children,  she  walked  on  foot  amid  snow  and 
ice  from  Montreal  Ui  Quebec,  a  distance  of  about  one  hundred 
and  eighty  miles.  She  always  lay  on  a  bed  of  straw,  and  a  piece 
of  wood  served  for  her  pillow. 

"  Her  portrait,"  writes  Francis  Parkman,  "  has  come  down  to 
us,  and  her  face  is  a  mirror  of  frankness,  loyalty,  and  womanly 
tenderness.  Her  qualities  were  those  of  good  sense,  conscien- 
tiousness, and  a  warm  heart.  To  this  day,  in  the  crowded  school- 
rooms of  Montreal  and  Quebec,  fit  monuments  of  her  unobtru- 
sive virtues,  her  successors  instruct  the  children  of  the  poor,  and 
embalm  the  beautiful  memory  of  Margaret  Bourgeois."  * 

The  worthy  spiritual  daughters  of  Mother  Bourgeois,  the 
Sisters  of  the  Congregation  de  Notre  Dame,  number  nearly 
seven  hundred.  Their  pupils  may  be  set  down  as  over  16,000. 
These  religious  Ladies  constitute  the  great  female  Educational 
Order  of  Canada;  and  their  influence  has  been  widely  felt  even 
in  the  United  States,  where  they  conduct  several  establish- 
ments. Besides,  many  American  young  ladies  attend  their 
boarding-schools,  especially  the  famous  Villa  Maria  at  Montreal, 
which  is  the  principal  Academy  of  the  Congregation,  t 


*  "  The  Jesuits  in  North  America." 

+  In  answer  to  a  note  of  inquirjs  Rev.  Sister  St.  Joseph  .  Villa  Marin, 

writes  under  date  of  May  34th,  1876  :  "  The  process  of  the  tiflcation  of  our 
venerated  Mother  Bourgeois  is  now  in  process  at  Rome;  andoui  much  uemed 
Bishop  Bourget  gives  us  to  understand  that  it  will  not  be  long  delay-  d  " 


BOOK  IV. 


CATHOLIC    EDUCATION    IN    THE    UNITED 

STATES. 

CHAPTER  I. 

THE   CATHOLIC   COMMON    8CIIOOL8. 

CATHOLICITY  AND  TRUE  EDUCATION — WHAT  JUDGE  DUNNE  BAYS— HIS- 
TORY OF  OUIl  CATHOLIC  SCHOOLS— CHIEF- JUSTICE  TANEY'S  ACCOUNT 
OF  EAIILY  CATHOLIC  EDUCATION — THE  COUNCILS  AND  CATHOLIC 
SCHOOLS — THE  IlELIOIOUSORDEIJS— STATISTICS — GLANCE  AT  THE  IN- 
TKRIOR  OP  AN  AMERICAN  CATHOLIC  SCHOOL. 

"  'Tls  education  forms  the  common  mind, 
Just  aa  tlie  twig  is  bent  tlic  tree's  inclined.'* 

— POPK. 

THE  CHURCH  THE  MOTHER  OF  Ti4UE  EDUCATION. 

Catholicity  educated  the  Old  World,  and  was  the  pioneer 
teacher  in  the  New.  But  in  the  matter  of  education  the 
Catholic  Church  never  boasts.  Slie  works.-  "  From  the 
earliest  ages,"  says  Archbisliop  Spalding,  "  schools  and  col- 
leges grew  up  under  the  fostering  care  of  the  Church."'*' 

"  The  praise  of  having  oi'iginally  established  schools,'' 
writes  the  critical  Protestant  historian,  Hallam,  "  belongs 
to  some  bishops  and  abbots  of  the  sixth  century."t  Every 
men:'  tery  had  its  school.  Wherever  a  cathedral  church  was 
erected  there  was  also  a  school  Avith  a  library  attaclied  to  it. 


*  "Miscellanea." 

t     Introduction  to  the  Literature  of  Europe." 

(425) 


■||;| 


IF' 


P?J 


426  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

Common  schools,  free  schools,  normal  schools,  colleges 
universities — all  these  institutions  of  learning  owe  their 
origin  to  the  Catholic  Church.  These  slyq  facts — indisputable 
facts.  History  proves  their  truth.  It  was  the  veiieral)lo 
Cadoc,  a  great  monk  and  educator  of  the  sixth  century,  tliat 
among  other  famous  poetical  sayings,  was  accustomed  to 
use  the  following : 

"  Without  knowledge  no  power, 
Without  knowledge  no  wisdom, 
*  Without  knowledge  no  freedom, 

Without  knowledge  no  beauty, 
Without  knowledge  no  nobility, 
Without  knowledge  no  victory. 
Without  knowledge  no  honor. 
Without  knowledge  no  God." 

A  prince  himself,  when  instructing  the  sons  of  kings,  the 
great  old  man  would  often  repeat :  "  There  is  no  king  lika 
him  who  is  king  of  himself."* 

"  Schools  for  the  poor,"'  says  a  late  writer,  "  were  especially 
attended  to.  The  Councils  of  the  Church — those  land- 
marks of  civilization — from  the  beginning  decree  that  every 
church  that  has  the  means,  provide  a  master  for  the  gratui- 
tous instruction  of  the  poor,  '  according  to  the  ancient  can- 
ons.' That  of  Lateran,  in  1180,  says,  that  the  Churcli  of 
God  'like  a  dutiful  mother,'  being  bound  to  provide  for 
the  indigent  in  soul  as  well  as  in  body,  to  every  church  shall 
be  attached  a  master  to  instruci  the  poor  gratuitously.  In- 
nocent III.  in  1215,  reiterates  the  same  decree.  The  Church 
fostered  learning  in  all  classes,  noble  as  well  as  p6a«ant.''t 

*  Montalembert:  "  Monks  of  the  West,"  Vol.  III. 

t  *'  Essay  on  Pliilo.  ophy  of  Literature,"  by  B.  A.  ]\r. 

"When  a  man  impudently  contends  that  the  Church  stifles 
mental  freedom  (or  over  has  stifled  it),  he  only  proves  that  dull 
bigotry  has  destroyed  his  own,  nnd  contradicts  the  whole  \\\i- 
tory  of  human  thought."— T.  W.  M.  Marshall,  LL.D.,  in  "The 
American  Cath.  Q.  Rev.,"  Vol.  I. 

That  expression  said  to  be  found  on  MedijBval  docunu'nt>— 
"This  one  being  t\  nobleman,  attests  his  inability  to  sign  his 
name" — is  a  liction.  —  '  Essay  on  Pliil.  of  Lit.,"  p.  79. 


The  Catholic  Conwwn  Schools. 


427 


Thus  FREE  SCHOOLS  Were  established  throngliout  Christen- 
doni  by  the  authority  of  the  Roman  Poiitiifs,  and  the  gen- 
eral Councils  of  the  Church.  Who  can  deny  that  in  all  ages 
the  Popes  have  been  the  greatest  patrons  of  popular  educa- 
tion ^ 

"We  aver  it  as  a  fact,"  says  Chief -Justice  Dunne,  of 
Arizona,  "  that  during  the  temporal  reign  of  the  present 
]\.pe,  the  i.dty  of  Rome  possessed  a  better  system  of  fvee 
ifiiools  for  the  education  of  the  masses  than  this  country 
lias  ever  shown  ;  better  taught  free  schools,  and  with  a 
fjreater  percentage  of  the  population  attending  them  tlian 
anvtliiiig  that  has  ever  been  soon  in  the  public  school  sys- 
tt'iii  in  America.  Do  you  wish  to  take  issue  witli  us  on 
that  i)roposition  ?  AVe  claim  that  on  trial  we  can  prove  our 
allegation  beyond  question."* 


'3: 


i  ,'M- 


gKETCir     OF      CATHOLIC     COMMON      SCHOOLS      IN      THE      UNITED 

STATES. 

If  in  all  ages  Catholicity  has  encouraged  learning  in  the 
Old  World,  how  has  it  been  in  the  Kew  ?  The  same  glo- 
rious record,  with  obstacles,  almost  numberless,  to  surmount. 
The  early  missionaries  no  sooner  converted  a  portion  of 
the  inhabitants  of  an  Indian  village  to  the  Faith,  than  the 
rirle   chapel    and  the  little  school   cast  their  shadows  to- 


*  In  1844  the  Protestant  traveller,  Laing.  wrote:  "  Rome,  with 
fi  population  of  158,078  souls,  has  373  primary  schools,  with  482 
toiiehors  and  14,000  children  attending  them.  Berlin,  with  a 
population  about  double  that  of  Rome,  has  only  264  schools. 
Rouu;  has  also  her  University  with  an  average  attendance  of  GOO 
t^tiulonts;  and  the  Papal  States,  with  a  population  of  2,500,000, 
contain  seven  universities.  Prussia,  witl.v  a  population  of  14,000,- 
(100  has  but  seven."  This  was  the  testimony  of  a  decided  bigot. 
I'ndor  the  illustrious  Pius  IX.,  the  Roman  schools  reached  a 
.'^till  higher  number  and  state  of  perfection.  That  royal  vaga- 
bond. Victor  Emmanuel,  is  now  undoing  the  work  of  centuries. 
How  many  free  public  schools  arc  in  Rome-  to  day  ^  How  nuuiy 
thilihvn  attcTid  them  ^  Truly  the  thing  mis-called  uu)dern 
progress  is  like  the  movements  of  the  crab — it  goes  bac'  wards  I 


;{;  -fVf 


428  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


'!'! 
:-l!l' 


ii 


v:k 


getlier.  Two  hundred  years  ago,  the  Jesuit  Fathers  had 
nourishing  schools  at  Caughnawaga,  on  the  Mohawk, 
Nearly  three  hundred  years  ago,  the  Franciscans  taught  the 
little  dusky  ones  of  Florida  and  New  Mexico  the  rudiments 
of  Icnowledge  and  the  science  of  religion.  When  England 
ob'>;ained  a  foothold  in  America,  she  forbade  Catholica  to 
teach.  Iney  were  to  be  severely  punished  if  they  dared  to 
open  schools !  This  state  of  affairs  lasted  down  to  the 
Revolution.  But  in  some  rare  cases  the  letter  of  these  odious 
enactments  was  evaded.  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton  y-ot 
his  early  education  at  a  school  kept  by  the  Maryland 
Jesuits. 

Catholics  who  were  wealthy  sent  their  children  to  be  edu- 
cated in  Europe;  those  who  were  not,  ratlier  than  send 
their  sons  and  daughters  to  Protestant  schools,  gave  theiu 
what  meagre  instruction  they  could  at  home.  By  this  means 
they  kept  the  Faith  alive.  They  were  wise.  "  Parents 
were  naturally  unwilling,"  writes  Chief-Justice  Tanev  of 
the  Catholic  education  of  this  early  period,  "  to  send  their 
children  to  a  school  where  their  religion  would  be  scoffed 
at,  and  the  children  subjected  to  humiliation  and  insult. 
The  education  of  the  Roman  Catholics,  therefore,  whose 
parents  could  not  send  them  abroad,  was  generally  nothing 
more  tlian  the  j)arents  could  teach,  with  occasional  aid  se- 
cretly given  by  the  priest.  It  was  usually  confined  to  read- 
ing, writing,  and  a  little  arithmetic,  just  enough  to  enahle 
them  to  transact  their  ordinary  business  as  planters  Avitlumt 
inconvenience.  My  father  was  sent  to  the  English  Jesuits 
College  at  St.  Omers.  He  had  finished  his  education,  and 
returned  home  some  years  l)efore  the  American  Revolu- 
tion."-^" 

After  the  Revolution,  the  small  number  and  poverty  of 
the  Catholics  did  not  prevent  their  establishing  elementary 
schools  in  various  cities.  These,  however,  were  few,  and 
totally  inadequate  to  the  educational  wants  of  the  faithful. 


*  "  Memoir  of  Chief-Justice  Taney,"  p.  21. 


The  Catholic  Common  Schools, 


429 


-e  few,  and 


Many  Catholics,  on  that  account,  were  lost  to  their  religion. 
To-day,  their  children  swell  the  ranks  of  error. 

The  prelates  of  the  American  Church  have  always  en- 
foived  the  supreme  importance  of  Catholic  Schools.  The 
first  Council  of  Baltimore,  held  in  1829,  "expresses  the 
wish  that  schools  should  be  established  where  youth  may 
imbibe  principles  of  faith  and  morality  along  with  human 
knowledge."  The  second  Plenary  Council  of  Baltimore, 
in  18G0,  shows  great  solicitude  on  the  same  point.  It 
warmly  appeals  to  pastors  and  people  to  establish  Catholic 
schools  where  our  Faith  may  be  taught  as  a  science — where 
religion  may  reign  as  queen. 

The  introduction  of  the  Religious  Orders  was  the  first  real 
impulse  given  to  Catholic  education  in  the  United  States. 
The  Ursulines,  the  Sisters  of  Charity,  and  the  Visitation  Nuns 
were  the  pioneers  in  this  glorious  field.  I  refer  to  the  ele- 
mentarv  schools.  Other  laborers  soon  came.  Tiie  Sisters 
of  St.  Joseph,  Sisters  of  Mercy,  Christian  Brothers,  Fran- 
ciscan Brothers,  Xaverian  Brothers,  and  other  Orders  set- 
tled clown  to  the  good  ..ork.  To-day  our  Catholic  schools 
are  numerous.  AVith  the  limited  resources  at  command,  they 
perforin  a  noble  service.  At  present,  there  are,  besides 
secular  teachers,  seven  religious  Orders  of  men  and  about 
ilurtij-six  Orders  of  women  engaged  heart  and  soul  in  the 
vast  labor  of  educating  the  Catholic  children  of  this  Re- 
public. These  conduct  about  seventeen  hundred  Catholic 
common  schools,  wnth  over  i^ve  hundred  thousand  pupils. 
The  love  of  our  ("atholic  people  for  true  education  has  been 
severely  put  to  the  test ! 

A  GLANCE  AT   THE    IXSIDE    OF  AN  A^SIERICAN    CATHOLIC    SCHOOL 

IN  1876. 

We  cannot  better  conclude  this  chapter  than  by  a  glance 
at  the  interior  of  a  representative  American  (.atlKjlic  school 
in  this  Centennial  year.  The  facts  given  are  from  pergonal 
knowledge.  St.  James  Cathedral  Free  School  is  situated  in 
'lay   street,    Bi'ooklyn,   N.   Y.      For  a  quartoi'  of   a   cen- 


TO., 


;       ^ 


l!:.l:| 


m 
ill' 


iiiii^ 


430  Catholicity  in  the   United  States. 

tury  it  has  been  under  the  management  of  the  Christian 
Brothers.  It  consists  of  six  classes,  with  one  Brother  over 
each.  The  first,  or  superior  class,  taught  by  the  Director* 
of  the  establishment,  numbers  forty-four  pupils;  the  sec- 
ond, sixty-four ;  the  third,  sixty-four ;  the  fourth,  iiiuctv ; 
the  fifth,  one  hundred ;  and  the  sixth,  one  hundred  and 
twenty  boys.  Everything  moves  with  the  utmost  harmony, 
with  the  regularity  of  clock-work.  At  a  quarter  before 
nine  in  the  morning,  the  bell  rings,  the  pupils  get  on  their 
knees,  and  morning  prayers  are  said.  Let  us  enter  the  lii-st 
class,  and  witness  the  daily  exercises.  The  recitation  of  the 
various  home  studies,  of  which  geometry  is  one,  begin  at 
nine  precisely.  The  following  table  exhibits  the  work  that 
generally  follows : 

9:45  Arithmetic  and  algebra,  every  day. 
10:30  Book-keeping,  every  second  day. 

11:25  English  composition  on  Mondays,  Wednesdays,  and  Thurs- 
days. 
On  Tuesdays  and  Fridays  instruction  in  mensura- 
tion is  given  at  9,  and  on  the  use  of  the  globes  at 
11  o'clock. 
1 ;  00  English  grammar — parsing,  analysis,  correction  of  false 
syntax,  and  spelling  drill,  on  Mondays,  Wednesdays, 
and  Thursdays. 
2 :  00  Penmanship  every  day. 
3:00  Religious  instruction,  everyday. 
3 :  30  Prayer  and  dismissal. 

Here,  nothing  is  studied  by  rote.  Every  effoi-t  is  made 
to  develop  the  judgment  and  to  strengthen  the  memory  of 
the  pupils.  The  brilliant  public  examinations  prove  the 
thoroughness  of  the  work  done.  But  the  influence  of  re- 
ligion is  felt  from  the  moment  you  enter  the  class-room. 
Even  the  veiy  walls  speak  their  lessons  of  wisdom,  tciich. 
the  young  heart,  and  "  drive  afar  oif  each  thing  of  guilt  and 

*  Rev.  Brother  Justinian,  a  veteran  educator,  who  has  toiled 
many  a  year  at  the  noble  work  of  teaching  the  young  generation 
"tlio  way  in  which  they  should  go." 


The  Catholic  Common  Schools. 


431 


sin,"  Besides  the  usual  maps,  geometrical  and  penmanship 
charts,  there  are  five  notices  framed  and  printed,  and  hung 
up  in  conspicuous  places  around  the  room.  They  are : 
(1)  "  We  must  pay  attention  to  the  signs  ;  "  (2)  "  We  must 
always  write  without  losing  time ; "  (3)  "  We  must  not 
come  in  late,  nor  stay  from  school  without  permission ; " 
(4)  '•  We  must  listen  attentively  to  the  Catechism ; "  (5) 
'•We  must  pray  to  God  with  piety  in  church  and  in 
school."  There  are  also  pictures  of  St.  Joseph,  the  Angel 
Guardian,  the  Ven.  de  la  Salle,  the  Most  Blessed  Virgin, 
and  a  crucifix — all  hung  in  appropriate  places.  Everything 
tends  to  educate,  to  elevate  the  mind,  the  heart,  the  soul.  As 
the  clock  strikes  each  liour,  a  short  prayer  is  said,  the  pupils 
remaining  quietly  seated  in  their  places.  At  the  half-hours, 
bj  previous  appointment,  one  of  the  pupils  says  in  a  loud 
voice :  "  Let  us  remember  that  we  are  in  the  holy  presence 
of  God."  All  pause  a  moment,  remember  the  presence  of 
the  Almighty  One,  and  then,  with  renewed  energy,  con- 
tinue their  work. 

Thus,  Religion  mingles  with  the  whole  course  of  the 
exercises,  and  imparts  her  loving  benediction,  while  she 
cheers  the  young  hearts  up  the  hill  of  knowledge.  Thus, 
the  pupils  learn  "  to  keep  God  in  their  minds  all  the  days 
of  their  lives."  This  is  what  the  Catholic  Church  calls  true 
education.  Religion  and  Science  with  heavenly  harmony 
dwell  together ;  and  the  young  mind  sees  no  conflict  be- 
tween them,  because  there  can  be  none.  The  boy  reveres  the 
one,  he  loves  the  other.  IJ  e  knows  they  are  both  from  God. 
He  does  not  feel  that  his  Faith  is  an  mtruder  in  the  school- 
room. Science  enlightens  it,  Religion  sanctifies  it.  Religious 
teaching  is  interwoven  with  the  lessons  in  secular  knowl- 
edi>;e,  as  the  golden  threads  which  give  permanent  value 
while  they  beautify  and  enrich.  Youth  are  thus  trained  up 
ill  the  way  they  should  go,  and  in  old  age  they  will  not  de- 
part from  it. 


tj.  -. 


Ml^ 


I] 


i;l: 


1 

■  }.-■ 

9& ' 

'  1^ 

flUJH 

l^^l;> 

■&\ 

hB 

aHli' 

I'li 

in 

ill 

m 

II 

II 

CHAPTER  II. 

THE    QUESTIO^r   OF    QUESTIONS   IN   THE   UNITED   STATES. 

THE  SOI.UTION  OF  A  OKKAT  PROBLEM — THE  PUBLIC  SCHOOLS  AND  RE- 
LKIION — DANOIiUTO  THE  FAITH  OF  TUE  CATHOLIC  CHILD— A  C  KUEL 
CUaEVANCE— AN  EXAMPLE— FREEDOM  OF  EDUCATION  A  RlfJllT— 
EDUCATIONAL  DESPOTS — THE  GllOWTH  OP  CORRUPTION— DANGER  OP 
KNOWLEDGE  WITHOUT  RELIGION— RELIGION  AND  REFINEMENT— 
GERMANY  AND  INSTRUCTED  BOORS — A  SOPHISM  ANSWERED— WHAT 
CATHOLICS  ASK — HOW  TO  GET  IT. 

THE   GKEAT   PROBLEM    SOLVED. 

How  shall  our  children  be  educated — without  religion,  or 
in  connection  with  religion  ?  This  is  the  question  of  ques- 
tions. The  ablest  minds  of  the  age  have  grappled  with  it. 
It  agitates  the  country.  The  Catholic  Church — in  such  mat- 
ters the  highest  authority  on  earth — has  solved  this  pro- 
foundly important  problem.     Her  solution  is :  education  to 

BE  TRULY  TROFITABLE  FOR  TIME  ^VND  ETERNITY  MUST  BE  BASED 
ON  RELIGION,  AND  SEASONED  WITH  THE  DOCTRINES  OF  IIDI  WHO 
IS  TUE  AVAY,    THE  TRUTH,    AND  THE  LIFE.       SllC    ahvayS  taugllt 

this.  To-day,  more  than  ever,  she  enforces  it  as  a  sacred 
truth  7iot  to  he  questimied.  The  Chuvch  has  reason,  wisdom, 
history,  the  sanction  of  venerable  antiquity,  the  experience 
of  all  ages  on  her  side. 

The  public  school  system  of  the  United  States,  in  its  pres- 
ent form,  excludes  religion  from  the  school-room  ;  or,  if  it 
admits  any,  it  is  a  religious  influence  hostile  to  the  Catholic 
Faith.  For  this  reason  Catholics  ha^'e,  at  great  sacrifices, 
built  and  supported  schools  of  their  own.  They  are  also  com- 
pelled to  support  the  State  schools.  They  are  placed  be- 
tween two  evils :  (1)  If  they  send  their  children  to  the  pub- 
lic schools  they  endanger  their  Faith.  That  the  atmosphere 
of  the  jHiblie  school  neutralizes  the  love  of  the  Catholic  child 

(•132) 


The  Question  of  Questions  in  the  U.  S. 


433 


for  the  religion  of  his  fatliers  has  never  heen  disprovedJ^ 
(2)  If  our  people  build  Catholic  schools  they  must  submit  to 
pay  a  double  tax.  But  the  true  "  son  of  the  Crusaders " 
never  sells  his  precious  Faith,  or  the  souls  of  his  chihlren  for 
a  few  i)altry  dollars — hence,  our  numerous  Catholic  schools. 
Ill  this  respect  the  Catholic  element  labor  under  a  cruel 
niievance,  a  crying  injustice.  They  are  taxed  to  support  in- 
stitutions which  their  conscience  forbids  them  to  patronize. 
11  ow  is  this?  Let  us  suppose  that  in  a  certain  city,  one- 
lifth  of  the  taxes  raised  go  to  swell  the  education  fund.  Mr. 
A  is  a  Catholic  householder.  His  children  attend  the  parish 
Bclic  .1.  But  on  the  corner  near  him  is  a  public  school.  Mr. 
x\'s  taxes  are  $30.  Six  of  these  are  for  the  support  of  the 
public  school,  from  which  neither  Mr.  A  nor  his  family  can 
(ierivG  any  benetit.  Su})pose  there  are  125,000  Catholic  house- 
holders in  that  city  sending  their  children  to  (Catholic  schools, 
and  paying  on  an  average  only  $30  each.  In  one  year,  they 
contribute  $150,000  towards  a  system  of  education  entirely 
useless  to  them.     In  other  words,  theij  are  legally  rohhed  of 


*  Even  the  text-books  used  have  this  effect.  The  covert  sneer 
against  CathoHcity  appear  in  some  of  them — even  yet.  The 
CathoUo  child  would  look  in  vain  through  the  very  best  of  them 
for  a  word  of  praise  in  favor  of  the  grand  old  Church  of  his 
fathers,  or  of  his  glorious  Faith.  We  know  an  intelligent  young 
Catliolic,  educated  at  the  public  schools,  who  was,  for  a  long  time, 
under  the  impression  that  CathoUcs  never  wrote  anything  worthy 
of  a  place  in  school  readers,  etc.  How  could  he  be  expected  to 
know  better  ? 

"  On  the  authority  of  the  oldest  and  best  informed  Catholic 
clergymen."  writes  Rev.  Mr.  Bruyere,  "I  am  able  to  assert  that 
\nth  a  few  honorable  exceptions,  Catholics  educated  in  luixed 
schools  maybe  honorable  men,  honest  men,  according  to  the 
Protestant  sense  of  the  word;  but  practical,  religious,  scrupu- 
lous observers  of  the  rules,  of  their  Church,  they  are  not.  They 
are  Catholics  in  name;  Protestants,  or  half  heathen,  in  practice." 

Is  this  to  be  wondered  at,  considering  the  following  facts: 
"Though  little  direct  religious  instruction  nmy  be  given  in  the 
pommon-school,"  writes  John  S.  Hart,  LL.l).,  ("In  the  School- 
Room,"  p.  210,)  "  there  is  usually  a  large  amount  of  rciligious  in- 
28 


■■  i'-'l 


ItM 


i      I, 


!:      'f-      -S 


I 


¥■  [ 


I      0, 


iM.:A 


434  Catholicity  in  the   United  States. 


$150,000  !     Did  this  money  go  to  support  Catholic  schools 
there  would  be  no  cause  of  complaint. 

Is  there  one  parallel  case  in  all  history  ?  Just  one.  Tlio 
Catholic  people  of  Ireland  were  obliged  to  support  the  An- 
glican Church  and  its  ministers.  Only  a  few  Protestants  de- 
rived any  benefit  from  the  huge  establishment.  Some  yours 
ago,  it  was  swept  out  of  existence — it  went  the  way  of  all  iii- 
justice  and  iniquity. 


FREEDOM   OF    EDUCATION   A   RIGHT. 

"Why  should  the  Catholics  of  this  free  land  be  taxed  for 
the  support  of  a  system  of  education  at  war  with  their  re- 
ligious convictions  ?  Is  there  not  as  much  injustice  in  com- 
pelling Catholics  to  support  schools  which  they  cannot  pat- 
I'onize,  as  a  Church  which  they  cannot  patronize  ?  Is  it  fair  i 
Is  it  constitutional'^  Have  not  Catholics  a  right  to  demand 
freedmn  of  education  as  ivell  as  freedom  of  7'eligion  f  We 
have  never  seen  these  questions  squarely  met  and  answered 
by  the  advocates  of  the  State  public  schools. 


fluence."  What  can  this  influence  be  ?  The  reading  of  a 
spurious  Bible  ?  The  influence  of  teachers,  the  great  majority 
of  wliom  are  Protestants  ?    If  not  these,  what  is  it  ? 

Besides,  the  Brattleboro,  Vt.,  case  proves  that  in  some  places 
Catholic  children  cannot  attend  the  public  schools,  and  at  the 
same  time  practice  their  religion.  For  daring  to  go  to  Mass  on 
the  Feast  of  Corpus  Cbristi,  1875,  the  Catholic  children  of  the 
Brattleboro  public  schools  were  expelled.  The  case  was  brought 
to  the  courts.  But  the  law  (?)  upheld  the  action  of  the  bigoted 
board  of  education  !  Here  is  a  clear  case,  proving  that  a  child 
must  cease  to  be  a  practical  Catholic,  otherwise  ho  will  be  ex- 
pelled from  the  State  public  schools. 

"  Let  us  not  expect  to  convert  the  parents,"  says  a  Protestant 
minister,  "but  between  the  two  stones  of  the  mill,  the  Bible  and 
the  common  schools,  we  will  grind  Catholicity  out  of  their  chil- 
dren." Others  boast  that  some  millions  of  Catholic  children 
have  been  gained  over  "from  Rome"  by  means  of  the  puDlie 
schools.  "  A  straw  shows  how  the  wind  blows."  But  comment 
is  unnecessary. 


7 


The  Question  of  Questions  in  the  U.  S.      435 

Do  the  Catholics  wish  to  destroy  the  public  schools  % 
Ridif'uloiis !  Are  they  not  every  day  building  public 
schools  themselves?  It  maybe  said  without  fear  of  con- 
tradiction, that  the  firmest  friends  of  free  public  schools  in 
the  Ignited  States  are  the  Catholics.  But  they  are  dis- 
pleased with  the  present  system,  which  stands  alone — the 
only  system  in  the  world — the  only  system  of  ancient  and 
modern  times  that  divorces  religion  from  education.  Its 
advocates  act  like  despots.*  They  would  fain  force  the 
system  down  the  throats  of  every  one.  Nobody  must  ques- 
tion its  perfection.  "  It  grew  up  in  the  United  States !  " 
''  It  is  x\raerican  !  "  "  That  is  enough."  Not  so  fast,  please. 
Everything  in  America  is  neither  good  nor  American. 
It  is  unnecessary  to  mention  Benedict  Arnold,  political 
"  rings,"  or  Know-Nothingism.  Were  Charles  Carroll,  John 
Adams,  and  Thomas  Jefferson  educated  in  schools  where 
religion  was  told  to  get  out,  or  to  stand  at  the  door  ?  Did 
Georce  Wa8hino:ton  receive  his  education  at  such  schools  ? 
Did  he  ever  counsel  a  system  of  education  which  i  xcludes 
religion  ?  Just  the  opposite.  And  our  statesmen  of  to-day  ? 
They  were  educated  in  our  public  schools.  They  were 
educated  without  religion,  and  in  this  very  Centennial  year, 
the  tree  is  producing  its  fruit — corruption  and  disgrace  in 
places  high  and  low ! 

Alas !  it  is  not  mere  Tcnowledge^  but  virtue  and  religion 
that  is  at  a  discount.  Look  abroad  u]>(»n  the  community 
and  see  the  deplorable  state  of  morals  l)y  which  we  are  sur- 
rounded. Impiety,  immorality,  infidelity,  public  robbery, 
and  an  open  contempt  of  God  and  religion  stalk  forth  even 
at  noon-day  !  We  see  these  marks  of  the  evident  decay  of 
tlie  moral  principle  in  the  countenance,  in  the  conduct,  in  the 

*  •'  This  majority  talli  a  great  deal  about  the  duty  of  people's 
beinj?  hberal  in  their  views  ;  but  what  they  seem  to  mean  is, 
that  the  liberality  ought  to  be  all  on  one  side;  that  other  people 
ought  to  yield  to  them  in  everything.  But  as  to  their  yielding 
on  their  part,  no! — not  the  ninth  part  of  a  hair.' — Ciiikf- 
JUSTICE  DunjhE. 


I     I 


ft'  'I 


I 


I 


436  Catholicity  in  the   United  States. 

dress,  and  hear  them  in  tlie  languaf^eof  tlie  thoufjjhtless  mul- 
iitudes  that  crowd  our  public  thorouglii'ares  !  Yet,  we  are 
told  that  religion  is  not  wanted  in  the  school- room.  Knowl- 
edge alone  is  power.  JJut  it  is  foi'gotten — have  wu  not 
already  learned  it  by  sad  ex])erience — that  knowledge  with, 
out  religion  is  powerful  in  producing  knaves,  sharpers,  and 
the  proverbial  "  smart "  men  of  our  country  ! 

"  Education  without  religion,"  writes  Dr.  Brownsoii, 
"  oidy  sharpens  the  intellect  and  Hts  men  to  bo  adroit  rof(ue.s 
and  swindlers."  "  If  I  am  a  knave  or  a  fool,"  excluiins 
Huxley,  "  teaching  me  to  read  and  write  will  not  make;  me 
less  of  either  one  or  the  other."  "  We  have  no  evidi-nce,'' 
observes  Herbert  Spencer,  "  that  education  as  coninionly 
understood  is  a  preventive  of  crime.  '^  *  *  Did  miicli 
knowledge  and  piercing  intelligence  suffice  to  make  men 
good,  then  Bacon  should  have  been  hone.st,  and  Xapoleon 
should  have  been  just."  "  I  have  always  been,"  says  the 
experienced  Archbishop  Bayley,  "  a  great  advocate  for  edu- 
cating our  children  in  our  own  schools,  and  if  we  could  get 
no  better — in  hedge-schools."*  Indeed,  it  would  be  easy  to 
cite  a  hundred  authorities.  But  it  is  wholly  unnecessary. 
To  my  mind,  there  is  no  need  of  ingenious  ai-gunieuts  to 
prove  that  without  religion  there  can  be  no  true  education. 
The  man  w^ho  finds  not  such  proofs  in  his  own  heart  will 
never  find  them  in  a  book. 

Some  manitain  another  specious  sophism.  "  Youth,''  tliey 
say,  "  may  be  instructed  in  religion  at  the  schools,  but  with- 
out any  particular  religious  creed."  This  can  be  admitted  by 
those  only  who  believe  one  religion  to  be  as  good  as  another 
— in  other  terms,  that  truth  and  falsehood  are  equal.  The 
result  of  such  training  would  be  the  total  destruction  of  the 
powerful  principle  of  religion.  "  To  make  man  indifferent 
to  the  distinguishing  points  of  faith  and  practice,"  said  the 
venerable  Ives,  "  is  nothing  more  or  less  than  to  make  liin) 
indifferent  to  religion.     To  live  in  the  breast  at  all,  religion 


*  Letter  to  the  author. 


m:^ 


The  Question  of  Questions  in  the  U.  S.     43  7 

iniii^t  liold  the  first  })hico.  It  cannot  from  its  very  nature, 
exist  in  a  ^tato  of  subordination  to  any  otlier  priri('i[)le.  It 
must  roign  supreme  in  the  reason,  the  conscience,  and  the 
will,  or  practically  cease  to  l)e.  WwX,  to  have  this  sway  it  must 
stand  before  the  mind  with  a  more  strongly  detined  image, 
wiHi  more  distinct  and  exact  and  captivating  features  than 
any  earthly  object;  and  wlien,  by  any  cause,  it  is  deprived 
of  this  distinction,  it  loses  its  idi'utity,  and  gives  place 
alt(»,nether  to  another  influence."* 

lUit  some  may  still  say:  ''Extensive  knowledge,  even 
without  religion,  produces  reiinement  of  manners."  I 
deny  it.  It  may  produce  "whited  sepulchres";  but 
^vitlluut  religion  there  can  be  no  interior  refinement,  no  real 
grandeur  of  soul.  ^lany  of  the  graduates  of  Heidelberg 
might,  with  gi'eat  advantage  to  themselves,  take  lessons  in 
Cliristian  civility  and  politeness  from  the  C/athulic  peasants 
(if  France,  or  Ireland.  "If  libertv  is  dead  and  reliii-ion 
(lying  in  Germany,  a  fate  which  Bossuet  pi'cdicted  for  both 
ill  all  non-Catholic  lands,"  writes  Dr.  Marshall,  "are  not 
those  trifling  evils  abundantly  compensated  by  the  delight- 
ful evidences  of  culture  in  its  highly  educated  po])ulation? 
What  evidences  \  If  there  is  a  peo))le  in  all  Europe  distin- 
guished ])y  a  total  absence  of  grace  and  refinement,  of  all 
that  the  French  call  'charm,'  and  by  a  coarseness  and  vul- 
garity of  aspect  and  manners  only  matched  by  their  impiety, 
it  is  the  people  of  North  Germany.  J  ulius  Eroebel,  thougli 
a  Cierinan,  comparing  the  uneducated  Indian  natives  of 
Nicaragua,  Chili,  and  Peru,  with  the  masses  of  his  own 
countrymen,  frankly  confesses  that  '  in  almost  Q,vQiVy  aspect,' 
and  especially  in  that  dignity  of  carriage  which  only  true 
religion  gives,  '  they  are  superior  to  our  German  peas- 
antry.'' "f 

Indeed,  it  inust  be  clearlv  evident  to  everv  sane  reason- 
ing  mind  which  has  been  at  the  trouble  of  carefully  studying 

*"  Church  and  State  Charities  Compared,"  by  L,  Sillimaii 
bes,  LL.D. 
+  "Tho  American  Catholie  Qnarterl^v  Review"  for  April.  1870. 


i 


438 


Catholicity  in  the  Utiiled  States, 


this  question  of  questions,  that  modern  education  divorced 
from  rdlgloTi  and  an  increase  of  crime  are  coexisting 
facta. 

Let  UH  return  to  the  course  pointed  out  by  vtMuraMo 
antiquity  and  the  experience  of  u<j;es.  Let  us  listen  to  tiie 
voice  of  wisdom  and  patriotism.  One  of  VVa8hin<);t()ir,s  lust 
solemn  utterances  was,  that  "roli<^ion  and  morality  are 
indispensable  supports ''  of  a  nation's  [)roHi)erity.*  The 
separation  of  religion  from  secular  instruction  is  altogether 
a  novel  proceeding.  It  is  a  system  of  education  which  was 
unknown  to  our  fathers. 


ilHi  >; 


WHAT    CATHOLICS    ASK. 

Catholics  claim  nothing  hut  what  is  just  and  right.  Thev 
are  entirely  willing  to  gi-ant  to  others  what  they  ask  for 
themselves.  In  the  words  of  the  North  American  lievieio, 
they  ask  that  "  the  public  school  funds  may  be  distributed 
upon  some  just  basis  between  the  Catholics  and  the  Prot- 
estants, so  that  each  religious  oi'ganization  may  have  its  own 
day-school,  and  conduct  religious  instruction  in  its  own 
way.  "t  All  the  most  enlightened  countries  of  the  world 
have  adopted  this  system — the  only  fair  and  just  one  in  a 
mixed  religious  community.  "  Justice  to  all,  favor  to  none.'' 
Such  is  the  motto  of  the  Catholics  in  this  Tiepublic.:}: 


*  Farewell  address. 

t  President  Gilman  in  "N.  A.  Review"  for  January,  1876, 
I  Some  may  say:  "Well,  Catholics  don't  make  good  citizens, 
anyhow;  they  don't  acknowledge  the  unlimited  authority  of  the 
State,  and  wo  don't  want  to  encourage  their  increase  among 
us." 

(1)  "We  don't  ask  you  to  encourage  their  increase — that  will 
get  along  without  your  help ;  biit  whence  do  you  draw  your 
right  to  try  to  prevent  it?  Are  not  all  religions  free  in  this 
country?  Is  not  the  principle  of  religious  liberty  the  corner- 
stone of  this  Republic  ?  Do  you  propose  to  destroy  this  Govern- 
ment ( 

(2)  "  Gentle  Pliarisees!  when  did  you  learn  to  thank  God  that 


The  Question  of  Questions  in  the  U,  S,      439 


The  geriiiino  Catholicj  eeos  hut  one  coiiiw;  in  this  liif^lily 
important  mutter — to  dcinaiid  his  rii;lits,  and  with  u  cool, 
untliiicliing  dcfterniiiiatioii  to  maivo  uso  of  every  lawful 
means  to  ^ct  them.  "  When  one  luis  ri<j;ht  on  his  side," 
t,avH  Chief -Just  ice  Dunne,  referring  to  this  suhject,  "he 
mmt  win  among  a  free  ])eoi)le  sooner  or  later,  if  he  is 
only  true  to  his  cause.  We  feel  that  we  are  right  in  this 
matter;  that  wo  are  entitled  to  our  helief,  and  that  it  is 
a  matter  of  conscience  for  us  to  rleclare  that  helief — luiy, 
to  proclaim  it  everywhere,  to  hlaxen  the  truth  upon  our 
baimers,  and  then  what  i  Fold  them  carefully,  and  hide 
them  away,  lest  some  offense  he  taken '?  No!  Our  duty 
is  to  iliug  them  to  the  hrecze,  sound  the  note  of  hattle, 
throw  ourselves  l)odv  and  soul  into  the  fii>ht,  do  our  '  level 
hc8t '  to  win ;  then,  if  the  Fat(is  be  against  us,  if  the  glory 
of  the  victory  is  to  be  reserved  for  other  warriors  later  in 
the  light,  why,  so  ho  it ;  but  we  shall  have  done  our  duty. 
No  man  can  do  more,  and  no  man  can  claim  to  he  a  maii 
if  hti  is  content  to  do  less^* 


you  wore  better  citizens  than  these  other  men  ?  Do  you  obey 
the  laws  more  faithfully,  pay  your  taxes  nioro  regularly,  give 
your  lives  more  freely  for  the  maintenance  of  good  government, 
than  these  other  men?    Since  when,  pray  ?  "—Chief- Justice 

BUNN'E. 

*  In  the  foregoing,  necessarily,  brief  chapter,  T  have  not  referred 
to  "  the  Bible"  question,  nor  to  the  sense  in  which  I  have  used 
the  word  "  education."  The  cry  raised  from  time  to  time  about 
Catholics  wishing  to  drive  "  the  Bible"  from  the  public  schools 
is  the  most  densely  stupid  piece  of  fanaticism  ever  known.  What 
is  "  the  Bible  ?"  Is  it  that  translation  of  tiie  Holy  Book  used  by 
the  majority  of  Christians?  If  so,  it  is  the  Catholic  Bible — a 
volume  never  in  the  public  schools —hence  cannot  be  driven 
out!  What  then  is  this  volume  used  by  the  State  Schools?  King 
•fames'  version?  No.  The  old  (leneva  Bible?  No.  It  is  a  cor- 
rupt translation  got  up  by  the  Bible  Society.  "The  very  Lord's 
Prayer,"  says  a  learned  writer,  "in  this  co-called  Bible  is  admit- 
ted by  all  scholars  to  be  spurious;  and  if  spurious,  as  all  Amer- 
ican translators  have  admitted,  certainly  blasphemous;  yet  in 


n' 


rt 


CIIAPTER  III. 

THE   CATHOLIC   FEMALE   AC.VDEMIE8. 

HISTORICAL  SKETCH— PIONEER  EDLCATO^^S— ALICE  LALOR— THE  URSU- 
LINES— MOTHER  SETOX — THE  I.ADIEM  OK  THE  SACRED  HEART- 
OTHER  ORDERS— SUPERIORITY  O^  CONVENT  EDUCATION— SKETCHES 
— THE  GEORGETOWN  ACADKMY — EMMITTSBURG  ACADEMY— ST.  MAIJY's 
OF  THE  WOODS— MANHATTANVILLK  ACADKMY — MOUNT  ST.  VINCENT 
— ST.  mart's   INSTITUTE— others  — TARLE  OF   STATISTICS. 


IIISTOKICAL    SKETCH. 

At  all  times,  the  Catholic  Church  gav^e  special  attention 
to  the  education  of  woman.     In  the  early  and  middle  ages, 

the  sectarian  spirit  of  proselytisiii,  it  is  forced  into  the  schools." 
— Dr.  Shea,  in  "American  Cathol'c  Q.  Review,"  for  ..'      .,  1876. 

"  Ijklumtion  et  Vinstrwiion,^''  writes  the  learned  Mgr.  Dupan- 
loup,  in  his  De  l'Educatio^t:  ^'sont  deux  chof-es  pi'ofondtimnt 
dltitlncten.'''  Education  and  instruction  are  two  things  entiroly 
distinct.  Yet  people  are  continually  confounding  these  tonus. 
A  mail  may  bo  well  instructed,  yet  be  pooi'ly  educated.  To-day 
wc  have  plenty  of  such  uneducated  scholars  Education  i.s  the 
whole,  instruction  a  part.  To  educate,  means  to  develop  all 
that  is  good,  and  to  repress  all  that  is  bad  in  the  cntirti  man- 
body,  mind,  and  soul.  In  the  true  system  of  education,  religion 
is  the  sun  and  centre,  around  which  all  else  revolves,  receiving 
light,  warmth,  and  strength  from  its  sublime  influence. 

Catholics  cannot  be  too  well  read  on  the  subject  of  education, 
They  will  find  all  that  is  necessary  to  be  known  in  the  follow- 
ing excellent  works  :  "  Catholics  and  Education,"  rccent'j 
issued  by  the  Catholic  Publication  Society,  N.  Y.  "  Our  Public 
Schools :  Are  they  free  or  are  they  not  ?  "  by  Chief- Justice  Dunne; 
Bishop  McQuaid's  "Lectures;"  "Controversy"  between  Rev, 
Dr.  Ryerson  and  Rev.  M.  Bruyere  (out  of  print);  "  The  Common 
Schools,"  by  Rev.  Michael  Miiller,  C.SS.R. ;  Archbishop  Spald- 
ing's article  on  "  Common  Schools"  in  his  "  Miscellanea;''  many 
able  articles  in  "  Brownson's  Review  " ;  "Excelsior;  or.  Essays  on 
Politeness  and  Education,"  by  Prof.  T.  E.  Howard  M.A.:  in 
tho  School-Room,"  by  John  S.  Hart,  LL.D.,  and  the  "Twlve 
Virtues  of  a  Good  Master,"  by  the  Christian  Brothers. 


The  Catholic  Female  Academies, 


441 


the  nunneries  did  for  girls  what  the  cathedral,  pi.^ochial, 
and  niouiistic*  schools  did  fur  boys.  The  moans  of  educa- 
tidii  were  ample.  The  course  was  tliorongh.  Many  of  t'ue 
(atliolie  ladies  of  those  ancient  days  were  persons  of  varied 
and  profound  knowledge.  In  the  ninth  century,  St.  Kos- 
witlui  was  the  author  of  dramas  that  show  an  extensive  ac- 
quaintance with  the  ancient  classics.  In  the  eleventh  cen- 
tury, Ingulph,  who  was  reared  in  the  court  of  Edward  the 
Confessor  in  England,  infonns  us  that,  on  returning  every 
day  from  school,  the  queen,  Egitha,  used  to  examine  him  in 
gniinmar  and  logic,  and  to  encourage  his  progress  by  fre- 
quent presents.  In  the  twelfth  century,  St.  Bernard  wrote 
letters  in  Latin  to  the  wives  of  counts  and  barons.  The 
conyent  of  Roncerai  at  Angers  was  distinguished  for  the 
number  of  young  princesses  who  w^ere  there  educated.  It  was 
in  this  school  that  the  famous  Ileloise  learned  Latin  and  phi- 
losophy. The  Abbess  Ilerrada  of  Alsace  (twelfth  century) 
wrote  an  extensive  Encyclopa}dia,  which  is  still  presei-ved 
in  manuscript.  St.  Geilrude  of  Saxony  (fourteenth  cen- 
tury) extended  her  studies  to  the  classics.  She  was  so 
strongly  attached  to  them  as  to  feel  scruples  of  conscience 
on  tlie  subject.  This  learned  and  saintly  lady  was  the  author 
of  several  pious  historical  works  yet  extant.  Many  other 
facts  might  ea«ily  be  cited  to  show  the  high  standard  of  fe- 
male education  in  the  Middle  Ages.* 

AVliat  has  Catholicity  in  the  United  States  done  for  the 
higher  education  of  woman?  We  will  try  to  give  a  brief 
and  correct  historical  answer.  Before  the  Revolution,  on 
account  of  the  penal  laws,  there  were  no  female  schools, 
either  high  or  low.  Wealthy  Catholics  were  obliged  to  send 
tl-.eir  daughters  to  the  great  conventual  schools  of  France 
and  other  countries,  to  receive  an  education  which  might 
fit  them  for  their  position  in  life — make  them  worthy  chil- 
dren of  the  true  Faith.     As  an   instance  in  point,  the  ac- 


*  Archbishop  Spnlding:    "Schools   and  Universities  in   the 

'Bark'  Ages.'" — Miscellanea. 


442  Catholicity  in  the  Uiiited  States. 


complished  mother  of  Archbishop  Carroll  was  educated  in  a 
French  convent. 

Towards  the  close  of  the  last  century,  the  Clarist  2suti9 
during  their  brief  stay  in  America,  opened  a  school  at 
Georgetown,  D.  C.  Passing  to  the  hands  of  the  Visitation 
Nuns,  under  the  venerable  Alice  Lalor,  this  school  gi-ew  into 
a  flourishing  academy,  which  dates  its  foundation  from 
1799.  In  the  early  part  of  the  eighteenth  ccnturv,  the 
Ursulines  opened  their  first  establishment  at  New  Orleans. 
When  Louisiana  w\as  purchased  by  the  United  bti^tes,  in 
1803,  the  Ilrsuiine  Academy  in  the  capital  was  comnoseii 
of  one  hundred  and  seventy  pupils,  of  whom  seventy  ♦^^ne 
were  boarders.  The  foundation  of  St.  Joseph's  Academy 
at  Emmittsburg,  Md.,  in  1809,  by  the  saintly  Mother 
Seton,  marks  an  epoch  in  the  history  of  Catholic  education 
for  young  women.  Three  years  later,  the  Loretto  Nuns  of 
Kentucky  entered  the  field  ;  and,  in  1818,  the  Ursuliiio  Con- 
vent,  afterwards  destroyed,  was  opened  at  Boston  by  twi 
holy  and  accomplished  young  Irish  ladies.  The  same  year 
that  thio  academy  was  opened  in  the  capital  of  New  England, 
the  Ladies  of  the  Sacred  Heart  began  th^ir  labors  at  the 
South,  chiefly  in  Missouri  a?id  Louisiana.  The  Sisters  of 
St.  Joseph,  in  183(3,  landed  on  our  shores,  and  their  acade- 
mies grew  in  nuiidjcr  as  years  rolled  away.  In  1810,  the 
Sisterfc  of  Notre  Dame  founded  their  first  establishment  in 
Ohio.  A  year  later,  and  the  Sisters  of  the  Holy  Cross  and 
the  *^'.sters  of  Providence  began  the  work  of  Catholic  edu- 
cation in  Indiana ;  wliile,  in  1817,  the  School  Sisters  of  Notre 
Dame  commenced  to  erect  their  first  academy  at  Milwaukee. 
In  the  meantime,  the  Ursulinos  and  Visitation  Nuns  had 
firmly  established  themselves  in  several  cities.  Between 
1810  and  1850,  the  Ladies  of  the  Sacred  Heart  and  the 
Sisters  of  Charity  opened  several  of  their  excellent  institu- 
tions in  New  York  and  elsewhere ;  and  soon  the  Sisters  of 
Mercy  swelled  the  noble  band  dev^oted  to  female  education. 
Indeed,  the  muhiplicatiun  of  academies  dui'ing  the  bt 
quarter  of  a  century  would   furnish  materials  for  a  krge  | 


mmmm 


MM 


m 


hm 


The  CatJiolic  Female  Academies, 


443 


oventv  tux-e 


volume.  They  clot  the  country  from  the  Atlantic  to  the 
Pacific*,  from  the  Great  Lakes  to  the  Gnlf  of  Mexico.  At 
present,  there  ava  oxQYj'our  hunilred  Catholic  academtes* — 
nianv  of  a  very  hi^h  grade — for  the  education  of  young 
women  in  the  United  States.  The  best  and  most  widely 
known  of  these  institutions  are  under  the  direction  of  the 
Sisters  of  Charity,  the  Ladies  of  the  Sacred  Heart,  the 
Visitation  Kims,  the  ITrsulincs,  the  Sisters  of  St.  Joseph, 
the  Sisters  of  Mercy,  the  Sisters  of  the  Holy  Cross,  the 
Sifters  of  Kotre  Dame,  and  the  Sisters  of  Providence. 

"We  can  point  with  pride  and  entire  confidence,"  says 
the  learned  Bishop  Becker,  "  to  our  academies  for  the 
hi^lier  education  of  females,  which  abound  in   every  part 

1^  die  United  States. "f  Who  can  sum  up  the  good  done 
liv  these  institutions,  the  greatness  of  the  work  tliey  have 
accomplished?  AVise  Protestants  know  their  value,  and 
^end  their  daughters  to  receive  instruction  from  these  vir- 
tuous and  accomplished  'adies  wdio  have  consecrated  them- 
selves to  God.:|:  The  young  girl  never  forgets  her  happy 
convent  home,  and  the  bright  days  passed  witiiin  its  quiot 
walls.  It  is  that  green  spot  in  the  heart  and  the  memory 
which  fades  only  with  life.  Then,  as  to  the  quality  of  the 
training,  the  education  given  in  our  best  Catholic  acade- 
mies, let  it  not  be  compared  with  what  is  given  elsewliere. 
It  is  far  superior.  While  the  head  is  carefully  stored  with 
useful  knowledge,  the  heart,  the  soul,  the  conscience,  are 
never  neglected.  Character  is  formed.  The  girl  is  taught 
that  simplicity,  graceful  modesty,  purltv  of  heart,  and  no- 
lliity  of  life  are  the  beautiful  ornaments  of  youth,  as  they 


*  Besides  these  academies,  there  are  over  250  select  schools  hi 
wliich  young  gu'ls  receive  a  superior  educatiou. 

t  "American  Cathohc  Quarterly  Review." 

\  In  not  a  few  of  our  convent  boarding-schools,  one-third,  and 
in  some  cases  even  one-half,  of  the  pupils  are  Protestant 
\omvj:  ladies.  "Pnrents  who  have  a  care  for  Xhv  purity  and 
dignity  of  their  daughters,"  remarks  Dr.  Sfarshu!!,  "  know  that 
they  are  safe  with  the  f*pouses  of  Christ." 


m 


444  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

are  the  crowning  grancleur  of  old  age.  In.  her  reli^nous 
instructors  she  often  beholds  models  of  learning  and  sanc- 
tity;  ladies  whose  bright  lives  render  virtue  attractive,  aiul 
Avhose  lessons  and  example  make  deep  and  lasting  impres. 
sions. 

The  following  brief  sketches  of  a  fev  of  our  principal 
female  academies  may  be  of  interest  to  the  friends  of 
Catholic  education.  They  are  arranged  according  to  the 
dates  of  foundation : 

(1).    Academy  of  the  Visitation,  Georgetown,  D.  C. 

This  is  the  oldest  Catholic  female  academy  within  the  limits 
of  the  thirteen  original  States.  It  was  founded  by  (^rchbi,sliop 
Neale,*  in  1799.  Its  early  history  is  connected  with  Miss  Alice 
Lalor,  and  the  origin  of  the  Visitation  Nuns  in  the  United 
States.  The  academy  was  rebuilt  in  1873.  Its  programme  of 
studies  Is  high,  and  embfaces  all  the  useful  and  ornamental 
branches  of  female  education.  It  possesses  a  good  geological 
collection,  a  large  reading-room,  and  a  well-selected  library.  Tlie 
nuns  are  the  only  instructors.  No  outside  professors  are  em- 
ployed in  the  educational  institutions  of  the  Visitation.  Tlio 
average  nui^iber  of  students  is  about  200.  Mother  Mary 
Angela  IlaiTison  is  the  Superioress.  She  has  been  a  professed 
religious  in  this  establishment  for  more  than  fifty  years. 

(2).    St.  Joseph's  Academy,  Emmittsburg,  Md. 

This  institution  is  only  two  miles  from  the  famous  Mount  St. 
Mary's  College.  It  dates  its  origin  from  1809,  when  it  was 
founded  by  Mother  Seton.  Se'ven  years  later,  it  was  incorporato! 
by  the  Legislature  of  Maryland,  The  full  course  of  study  i^ 
very  high,  and  embraces  Latin  and  several  of  the  modern  lan- 
guages, besides  the  usual  branches.  It  possesses  a  good  library 
and  philosophical  apiiaratus,  and  a  fine  collection  of  shell-  ami 
minerals.  The  number  of  students  is  about  120.  The  Supe 
rioress  is  Mother  M.  Euphemia  Blenkinsop.  St.  Joseph's  is  the 
alma  mater  of  three  generations,  and  is  one  of  the  best  knowu 
institutions  in  the  United  States. 


*  Then  a  priobt,  and  President  of  Georgetown  Collcgo. 


The  Catholic  Female  Academies. 
(3).    St.  Mary's  of  the  Woods,  Indiana. 


445 


St.  Mary's  Academic  Institute,  situated  in  Vigo  County,  is  one 
of  the  most  ttourisliii.<g  female  academies  of  tlie  West.  It  waa 
founded  in  1840,  by  M(  tlior  Theodore  and  five  Sisters  of  Provi- 
dence, from  France.  Indiana  was  then  little  more  than  one  vast 
fore.st.  A  log-houst;  ten  feot  si^uare  was  the  first  chapel,  and  the 
priest's  residence;  two  small  rooms — half  the  house  of  a  kind 
fanner — was  the  convent ;  and  thr^  academy  building  was  a  small 
brick  edifice.  Since  that  time  there  have  been  great  change.s. 
St.  Mary's  Institute  was  incorporated  by  the  Legislature  of  the 
Stat*?  in  1846.  The  present  magniticent  building  attests  its  pros- 
perity. This  academy  possesses  an  excellent  museum,  geologi- 
cal collection,  and  a  library  of  about  3,000  volumes.  The  total 
niiaiber  of  graduates  is  33;  present  number  of  students.  128; 
and  number  of  teachers,  13.  From  the  last  annual  catalogue 
■.ve  learn  that  twenty  young  ladies  of  the  first  class  received 
premiums  for  viendinij^  a  much  neglected  brancli  of  study  in 
many  institutions.  It  is  a  great  secret,  and  no  small  wisdom, 
to  bo  able  to  coiubine  the  useful  with  the  ornamental,  the  solid 
with  the  brilliant.  The  honors  graduate  at  this  institution  are 
a  diploma  and  a  laureate  wreath.  The  Superioress  is  Mother 
Mary  Ej)hrem. 

(4).    Academy  of  ttik  Sacred  Heart,  M'inhattan^ille. 

Tills  well-known  institutionof  learning  was  founded  by  Madame 
Aloysla  Hardy  In  May,  1841.  Ten  years  later  it  was  incorporated 
by  the  Legislature  of  New  York.  Its  situation  is  exceedingly 
pleasant,  the  course  of  studies  very  high,  while  its  prosperity  has 
kept  pace  with  its  years  and  growing  fame.  It  possesses  fino 
collections  for  the  study  of  geology,  mineralogy,  conchology,  etc. 
The  total  number  of  graduates  is  1.30;  present  number  of  stu- 
cli  nts-,  283;  while  the  teaching  stalT  consists  of  thirty  Ladies  of 
tlio  Sacred  Heart  and  seven  professors.  The  volumes  in  the 
library  number  2,000.  Madame  Sarah  Jones,  the  present  Su- 
perioress, was  born  in  New  York,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Chan- 
cellor Jones.  She  was  received  into  the  Catholic  Church  by  Dr. 
Ilti^lios,  in  18U.  and  live  year-  subsequently  entered  the  Society 
of  the  Sacred  Heart. 


(5).    Academy  of  Mount  St.  Vincent,  on  the  11  ldson. 

This  is  the  cliief  educational  institution  of  the  Sisters  ( )f  Chn  rity 
of  St.  Vincent  de  Paul.     Firs-t  opened  in  1847,  it  is  now  perma- 


M 


44^  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


ii  I 


nently  osiabllshod  on  tlie  cast  bank  of  the  Hudson,  a  little  above 
Riverdale,  at  a  point  whore  tho  river  concontratos  its  most  forci- 
ble claims  to  its  boautii'ul  appellation — "  The  Rhine  of  Amciio.i." 
The  academy  was  founded  by  Archbishoi)  Hughes.  It  takes  tlio 
name  of  "  Mount  St.  Vincent"  from  the  commanding  elevation 
on  which  it  is  situated.  'J'he  main  building,  in  the  lly/.antiuo 
ptyle,  possesses  great  architectural  beauty,  and  is  really  one  of 
the  largest  educational  structures  in  the  United  States.  Tho 
tower  rises  290  feet  above  water  level.  This  institution,  by  its 
charter,  enjoys  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of  any  college  in  tlio 
State.  The  studies  are  high  and  varied.  Latin  enters  into  the 
regular  course  of  the  last  three  years;  while  the  opportunitif.'s 
for  the  pursuit  of  science  are  excellent.  One  of  the  architectural 
curiosities  is  Forn'st's  Castle.  Of  its  rooms,  one  of  the  largest 
is  occupied  as  a  cabinet;  while  another  is  devoted  to  specimens 
in  natc'^l  history  and  shells.  The  entire  "Arnold  collection'' 
of  mineials,  donated  to  tue  academy  by  Dr.  Arnold,  has  ;:r('iitly 
enlarged  and  enriched  the  cabinet,  making  it  one  of  the  most 
complete  in  this  country.  There  are  about  2,000  volumes  in  the 
librarv.  Thirty  Sisters  and  professors  constitute  the  teachin" 
etaff;  the  students  number  about  200.  Mother  M.  Regina  I,aw- 
less,  the  Superioress,  a  native  of  Ireland,  was  elected  to  her 
present  position  ;n  1870. 


(G).    St.  Mary's  Institute,  Milwaukee. 

This  academic  institution,  under  the  direction  of  the  School 
Sisters  of  Notre  DaniO,  was  founded,  in  1850.  by  Mother  M.  Caro- 
line Friese.  In  1869  it  was  granted  all  the  privileges  of  a  col- 
lege. It  is  the  chief  academy  of  the  Order,  and  its  course  of  in- 
struction is  very  thorough.  It  has  a  library  of  about  1,000 
volumes.  The  cabinet,  however,  is  not  very  complete.  The 
students  number  nearly  500,  and  tho  institution  employs  tliii  ty 
teachers.  The  Superioress,  Mother  Caroline  Friese,  was  l)orn  in 
France,  in  1824,  introduced  her  Order  into  the  United  States 
and  for  the  last  quarter  of  a  century  has  seen  it,  year  after  year, 
grow  up  around  her.  * 

Wt  mention  tlie  foregoing  irrstitntions  as  among  the  very  best 
representatives  of  their  class  in  this  Republic.  There  are  of 
course,  many  other  excellent  female  academies,  ■^ucii  as  St, 
Joseph's  Academy,  Flushing,  L.  I.:  Mount  de  Chautui.  near 
Wheeling,  Va. ;  St.  Mary's,  Notre  Dajue,  Indiana  a.nd  St.  Cather- 
ine's Normal  Institute,  Baltimore.     For  further  mformation  w 


The  Catholic  Female  Acade)nies, 


447 


a  littlo  nhovo 

,ts  most  foiTi- 

of  Ann'riou." 

It  takes  the 

Ing  oU'Vjition 

le  Byzantine 

rt'iilly  one  of 

StiitoH.     The 

ution,  by  its 

college  In  the 

iters  into  the 

opportunities 

architectural 

3f  the  largest 

to  specimens 

d  collection" 

il,  has  greatly 

3  of  the  most 

olumes  in  the 

the  teaching 

Regina  Law- 

lected  to  hor 


refer  the  reader  to  the  following  Table  of  Statistics,  which  gives 
the  necessary  particulars  concerning  twenty  Catholic  academies: 


—  •-»  ^ 


>  »  >  X  > 

o  r'  o  r*  o 


c_a_7  5,^~,:i:i,i:^'i 


'"I  7:  '^  ii''  75  s-  rl  > 
2  -  ^-    "  a  i  e 


^.'^ 


t3  3  _ 

n  O  -1 

»  S  "^ 

B  3 


V. 


g  ,1  o  .-<  5 
c  n.-  — 2 

, -;•  «  O  [-4 

S5o:  e 

1)  s  • 

:  d : 
.  p . 


"3^2 


5  ~  =-~ti  o 


="2; 


g-c-e  =  •   B  a: 
C.3  a  a  o 


3  > 


■   B 


o 

B 


go-: 


00 


>r  •<  X  Si  73 

g  ~  a  5  "^ 


a  o 

a  f* 


'«  ?  ^  <  2  5  1  — • 
2  S  5  =  1-3.3  a 


n 


•a  pi 


'r.. 


!?~ 


p  x 


P^: 


pr. 


p         o<. 


tt'c  : 

o  • 

a  . 
p 


(T  =-l- 


x  X  35  /;  X  00      OD 

M  c»  cs  ic  c;t  :j«      ci 

7;  7;  X  Si  ii  2  2  '■'5 


1 »»  "^  — . 


1  r^ri  a^r* 


p  »  ■   P  Ti . 

:  r:  a;;; 

■   ■   ■    t-c^i 


'30  X  00  OD  X  00  00 
i,-»  f,*-  CI?  c»  *-  :r.  in 

(i  »  ^  =>  -J  - 

'^  '^  X  X  >•  V  5* 

f*  ,■*  T  ^  ;r  ^  ^ 

<^  2-a  P  .   p  r 

a    C    b.^   >-«3    in 

"  3 
P 


g  =  uj  c;  »i  -1  ta  i  =i  =  0  r:  X  o  -J  -.  X  o  —  s> 


"  ts  to  »o  _-'      I-*  ,•-'     ^s  "-i  CO  J-* 


0 

(9 


Founded, 


05 
B 


No.  of 

Teachers. 

N'o.  of 
Pupils. 


s'jii'  Vols.  In 
c  i  5  Library, 


•r 


T  lie  very  best 
There  are  uf 
•<ucii  as  St. 
'hautai,  near 
ul  St.  Cather- 
formation  w 


h 


CHAPTER  IT. 

THE   CATHOLIC    COLLEGRS. 

OATnOLIClTY  AND  LEARNIKO— THE  CHlilSTIAN  SCnOOI^B  OF  THE  EAST 
— THE  GREAT  MONASTIC  SCHOOLS — IRELAND — GREAT  BUITAIX— THE 
COURSE  OF  STUDIES  IN  THESE  SCHOOLS — THE  RISE  OF  THE  UXIVER. 
SITIES— FOUNDED  BY  THE  CATHOI-IC  CHUUCII— CATIIOIJC  STUDENTS 
AND  PROFKSSORS — BOLOONA,  PADUA,  OXFORD,  AND  PARIS— WHAT 
CONSTITUTED  A  UNIVERSITY — THE  DEGREES — PIETY — RISE  OK  CATH- 
OLIC COLLEGES  IN  AMERICA — THE  PENAL  LAWS— HISTORICAL  SKETCH 
—GEORGETOWN  COLLEGE — MOUNT  ST.  MARY'S  COLLEGE— ST.  LOflS 
TTNIVERSITY— ST.  JOSEPH'S  COLLEGE  —  ST.  XAVIER'S  COLLEGE  — ST. 
JOHN'S  COI-LEGE— UNIVERSITY  OF  NOTRE  DAME— VILLANOVA  COL- 
LEGE— COLLEGE  OF  ST.  FRANCIS  XAVIER — SAITTA  CLARA  COLLEGE- 
MANHATTAN  COLLEGE— SETON  HILL  COLLEGE— ROCK  HILL  COLLEGE 
— ST.  MARY'S  COLLEGE— LA  SALLE  COLLEGE. 

Under  the  protection  of  the  cross,  learning  has  ever  found 
a  home.  "  I  leave  to  others,"  writes  the  great  St.  Gregory 
in  the  fourth  century,  "  fortune,  birth,  and  every  other 
fancied  good  which  can  flatter  the  imagination  of  man.  I 
value  only  science  and  letters,  and  regret  no  labor  that  I 
have  spent  in  their  acquisition.  I  have  preferred,  and  ever 
shall  prefer,  learning  to  all  earthly  riches,  and  hold  nothin;' 
dearer  on  earth  next  to  the  joys  of  heaven,  and  the  hopes  of 
eternity."  These  sentences  express  the  true  spirit  of  Cath- 
olicity, of  the  famous  Fathers  of  tlie  Church  in  regard  to  use- 
ful linowledge. 

THE   GKEAT   MONASTIC    SCHOOLS. 

Let  us  glance  at  the  various  classes  of  higher  educational 
institutions  which  the  Catholic  Church  gave  to  the  world. 
Each  was  suited  to  the  varied  wants  of  the  ages  in  which  it 
flourished.  The  most  famous  Christian  schools  of  the  (Irst 
three  centuries  were  those  of  Alexandria,  Antioch,  Jeru- 
(448) 


The  Catholic  Colleges. 


449 


salem,  and  other  centres  of  Eastern  wealth  and  leaming. 
A  c'liange  caine,  and  the  Eastern  scats  of  learninry  were  suc- 
ceeded by  the  great  monastic  schools  of  Home,  Ireland, 
England,  France,  and  other  nations. 

From  the  fifth  to  the  eighth  century,  Ireland  justly 
liold  the  iirst  phice.  It  was  then  like  one  great  university. 
It  was  the  radiant  centre  whence  the  light  of  learning,  Chns- 
tianity,  and  civilization  Hashed  over  Europe.  The  unani- 
Tuous  testimony  of  all  Christendom  conferred  upon  it, 
at  that  time,  the  title  of  "  Isle  of  Saints  and  Sages."* 
The  youth  of  Europe  flocked  to  receive  instruction  in  its 
great  monastic  schools.  In  them  "  were  trained,"  writes  the 
('ount  de  Montalembert,  "  an  entire  population  of  philoso- 
phers, of  writers,  of  architects,  of  carvers,  of  painters,  of 
caligraphers,  of  musicians,  of  poets  and  historians ;  but, 
above  all,  of  missionaries  aid  preachers,  destined  to  spread 
the  light  of  the  Gospel  and  of  Christian  education,  not  only 
in  all  the  Celtic  countries,  of  which  Ireland  was  always 
the  nursing  mother,  but  throughout  Europe,  among  all  the 
Teutonic  races — among  the  Franks  and  Burgundians,  who 
were  already  masters  of  Gaul,  as  well  as  amid  the  dwell- 
ers of  the  Rhine  and  Danube,  and  up  to  the  frontiers  of 
Italy."f  The  monastic  colleges  of  ancient  Ireland  were 
open  to  all.  "  The  poor  and  the  rich,"  continues  the  same 
noble  writer,  "  the  slave  as  well  as  the  freeman,  the  child  as 
well  as  the  old  man,  had  free  access,  and  paid  nothing.";}: 
'•Within  a  century  after  the  death  of  St,  Patrick,"  writes 
Bishop  N^icliolson,  "  the  Irish  seminaries  had  so  increased 
that  most  parts  of  Europe  sent  their  children  to  be  educated 
there,  and  drew  thence  their  bishops  and  teachers." 

Among  the  most  celebrated  of  the  Irish  schools  were 
Armagh,  founded  by  St.  Patrick  himself ;  Clonard,  Lismore, 
Bangor,  Clonfert,  Cashel,  and  Clonmacnois.  Three  thou- 
sand students  are  said  to  have  attended  the  school  of  Bail- 


\ ' 


*  Montalembert,  "Monks  of  the  West,"  Vol.  III. 
t  ibid. 

29 


I  Ibid. 


450  Catholicity  in  the    United  States. 

gor.  Armagli,  at  ono  time,  furni«ho(l  odncation  to  seven 
thousand  students,  ("loiiard,  tlio  Alma  lyfater  of  the  grcut 
St.  Coluuiha,  wan  tho  famous  Institution  of  whicli  r.-.licr 
the  learned  Protestant,  wrote  :  "  Saints  eanie  out  of  it  in  as 
great  luuuhers  as  Greuk;s  of  old  from  the  sides  of  the  hurso 
of  Troy."* 

Great  J'ritaiu  also  luid  her  celehrated  mona^^tie  schools. 
Among  these  were  (Canterbury,  ( }  lastonl)Ui7,  Yarrow,  Mahns- 
hurv,  Lindisfarne,  and  lona.  The  three  latter  were  founded 
l)j  Irish  monks.  St.  (■olmnha,  the  founder  of  lona,  is  the 
grandest  character  in  the  early  history  of  North  Hritaiii. 
The  noble  figure  of  this  Iiish  prince,  monk,  and  scholar 
towers  aloft  in  that  distant  age.  Glastonbury  was  a  famous 
Bpot.  S})eaking  of  it  Montalembert  says :  "  Poetry,  his- 
tory, and  faith  found  a  common  home  in  the  old  mon- 
astery wduch  was  for  more  than  a  thousand  years  the  won- 
der  of  England."  Prince  Arther,  the  Celtic  hero,  and  the 
subject  of  many  a  measured  line,  was  supposed  to  be  buried 
tliere.  The  venerable  Bede,  styled  by  Edmund  Bui-ke  the 
"Father  of  English  learning,"  was  educated  at  Yarrow, 
which  he  immortalized  by  the  light  of  his  life,  and  in  which 
he  taught  kings,  princes  and  prelatcs.f 


*  "  Monks  of  tho  West,"  Vol.  III. 

t  This  groat  and  saintly  man  is,  perhaps,  the  best  example  of 
the  perfect  student  in  all  history.  From  his  seventh  year  to 
the  date  of  his  holy  death,  his  ,lifo  was  one  continued  round  of 
etndy,  teaching,  labor,  and  prayer.  At  tho  conclusion  of  reading 
and  study,  ho  always  said  the  following  beautiful  prayer: 

"Oh,  good  Jl.sus,  who  hast  deigned  to  refresh  my  soul  with 
tho  sweet  streams  of  knowledge,  grant  that  I  may  ono  day 
mount  to  Thee,  who  art  tho  source  of  all  wisdom,  and  remain 
for  over  in  Thy  divine  presence." 

But  the  most  sublime  part  of  his  life  was  the  hour  of  his 
death.  His  last  days  were  devoted  to  tho  translation  of  the 
(lospel  of  St.  John  into  Anglo-Saxon,  Even  his  sickness  could 
not  prevent  his  continuing  the  work  with  tho  help  of  a  young 
secretary.  On  the  eve  of  tho  Feast  of  the  Ascension,  737,  tho 
translation  was  all  iinishod  but  a  few  lines.     "  Most  dear  mas- 


Wff 


The  CatJioUc  Coilcocs. 


45 1 


Tlio  course  of  instruction  in  these  holy  inrtitiitioiis  em- 
ImuH'd  ill!  tl»c  Icfirninu^  of  the  time.  The  vcncrahlo  Ciidoc, 
it  is  related,  was  accustomed  to  make  hi.s  pupils  learn 
"Vir;;il  "  hy  heart.*  The  studios,  however,  were  generally 
divided  into  two  grades — the  Trlviuin  and  the  Qu(t<lriv'iiun. 
The  Triviuni  comprised  grammar,  rhetoric,  and  logic  ;  the 
Qiiadrivium,  music,  arithmetic,  geoine'ry,  and  astronomy. 


THE    RISE    OF    UMVKrBITIKS; 

The  monastic  schoola  were  gradually  superseded  hy  the 
universities,  which  in  their  origin  carry  the  mind  back  to 
the  days  of  chivalry,  the  ages  of  faith.  "  The  enthusiasm  of 
the  crusades,"  says  Prof.  Crai'c,  '•  seems  to  have  been  fol- 
lowed by  an  enthusiasm  of  study."f  And  from  the  twelfth 
eoutury  we  may  properly  date  the  rise  of  the  great  univer- 
sities— Paris,  Bologna,  Oxford,  Cambridge,  Pavia,  Vienna, 
Salamanca,  and  others.  Before  that  period  these  seats  of 
learning  had  existed   as  schools;  but  it  remained  for  the 


ter,"  said  the  young  monk,  "tlioro  is  still  one  sentence  that  is 
not  written."  Bode  answered  :  "  Write  quickly."  "It  is  now 
done!"  exclaimed  the  secretary.  The  dying  Bedo  observed: 
"You  have  said  woll.  Indeed,  all  is  flnishod.  Dear  child,  hold 
niyliead  that  I  may  have  the  pleasure  to  sit  looking  towards  my 
littk'  oratory,  where  I  was  wont  to  pray  ;  that  while  I  am  sit- 
ting, I  may  call  upon  my  Heavenly  Father,  and  sing:  '  Glory  be 
to  the  Father,  and  to  the  Son,  and  to  the  Holy  Ghost.' "  Thus 
(lied  the  great  St.  Bede.  No  wonder  he  was  called  Bede,  which 
in  Anglo-Saxon  signifies  prayer.  England  has  had  but  one  Bede. 
How  different  was  this  illustrious  Catholic  scholar,  the  author 
of  forty-five  different  works,  and  the  most  learned  man  of  iijs 
ago,  from  the  proud  and  impious  creatui*es  of  our  day — the  so- 
called  scientists  and  philosophers — men  who  would  fain  per- 
suade tlie  world  that  they  have  monopolized  all  wisdom  and  all 
knowledge,  but  whose  shallowness  is  ordy  exceeded  by  their 
unmatched  impudence!  The  Catholic  student,  however,  can 
well  afford  to  regard  the  whole  motley  herd  with  i)ity  and  con- 
tempt. 

*  ibid. 

t  "  History  of  English  Literature  and  Language,"  Vol.  I. 


«. .;,  # 


t> 


Al 


9=.' 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


"JIM 

"  IIIIIM 

1!:  b£ 


M 

|M 
1.8 


1.25 

1.4       1.6 

—     == 

-< 6"     

► 

Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


6^ 


452  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

twelfth  century  to  develop  and  enlarge  them  into  higher 
and  more  permanent  centers  of  thought  and  science.  In 
the  advancement  of  learning  and  civilization  their  value  was 
inestimable.  "  One  of  the  causes  which  contributed  most 
to  the  development  of  the  human  mind,"  writes  the  i)hilo- 
sophic  Balmes,  "  was  the  creation  of  great  centres  of  inetnic- 
tion,  collecting  the  most  illustrious  talents  and  learning,  and 
diffusing  rays  of  light  in  all  directions."*  These  famous 
institutions  were  created  and  sustained  by  Catholicity.  "  All 
the  universities,"  says  Chateaubriand,  "  were  founded  either 
by  religious  princes,  or  by  bishops  and  priests ;  and  were  all 
under  the  direction  of  different  religious  orders."f  "It 
ought  n(»t  tc  be  forgotten,"  wrote  the  Protestant  Forbes, 
"  that  it  is  to  the  mediaeval  Church  that  we  are  indebted  for 
our  univeitj'itios.  Three  out  of  the  four  universities  of 
Scotland  had  Catholic  bishops  for  their  founders.":}:  It  is 
the  same  in  England.  What  are  Oxford  and  Cambridge 
but  in  the  language  of  the  Gennan  Huber,  "  a  bequest  from 
Catholic  to  Protestant  England."§  It  is  the  same  over 
Europe.  Catholicity  was  the  founder  of  all  the  celebrated 
universities.  But  how  long — how  long  shall  it  be  before  we 
get  this  fact  inserted  into  the  dark,  narrow  cranium s  of  the 
million-and-one  ignoramuses  who  scribble  and  howl  about 
"  monkish  ignorance  and  superstition  !" 


CATUOLIO    STUDENTS    AND   PROFESSOES. 

""With  tho  advance  of  time,"  says  an  able  writer,  "a 
thirst  for  learning  increased.  The  lecture-rooms  could  rot 
contain  the  throngs  that  assembled  to  hear  great  teachers. 
Abelard  counted  his  audience  by  thousands.  Albertus 
Magnus  was  compelled  to  lecture  in  the  public  square  that 


*  "European  Civilization." 
t  "Genius  of  Christianity." 
\  "  Life  of  James  David  Forbes,  F.R.S  " 
§  The  English  Universities  *'  a  bequest."    Not  (it  all. 
robbery — plunder. 


It  wu 


The  Catholic  Colleges, 


453 


still  bears  his  name."*  Both  these  distinguished  Jien  were 
professors  in  the  University  of  Paris.  Of  Abelard's  pupils 
we  are  told  that  twenty  afterwards  became  cardinals,  and 
tifty  bishops  and  archbishops.  Bologna  was  at  one  time  the 
great  law  school  of  Christendom,  and  counted  no  less  than 
10,000  foreign  students.  Padua,  the  Alma  Mater  of 
Christopher  Columbus,  was  attended  by  18,000  students. 
In  the  twelfth  century  Oxford  reckoned  30,000  students. 
Paris  had,  perhfips,  a  larger  number;  and  as  a  place  of 
general  instruction,  stood  at  the  head  of  the  universities  of 
Europe. 

Keligion  presided  over  the  erection  and  government  of 
these  splendid  institutions  of  learning.  Every  exercise  was 
commenced  and  terminated  by  pm^'er.  "  The  school-rooms 
of  the  monasteries  at  Rome  and  Bologna,"  writes  Archbishop 
Spalding,  "  were  sanctuaries  of  piety ;  the  student  always 
beheld  in  them  an  image  of  that  Immaculate  Virgin,  who 
was  ever  the  patroness  of  Christian  scholars."f 

Each  University  comprised  the  four  Faculties  of  Arts, 
Theology,  Law,  and  Medicine.  In  the  Faculty  of  Arts  the 
degrees  were  simply  those  of  Bachelor  and  Master.  In  the 
other  faculties  the  successful  candidates,  after  severe  exami- 
nation, could  become  bachelors,  licentiates,  and  doctors. 
But  these  degrees  were  neither  conferred  nor  received  for 
the  same  purpose  they  are  in  modern  times.  "  Degrees 
would  not,"  says  Dr.  Newman,  "  at  that  time  be  considered 
mere  honors  or  testimonials  to  be  enjoyed  by  persons  who 
at  once  left  the  university  and  mixed  in  the  world.  The 
University  would  only  confer  them  for  its  own  purpose ; 
and  to  its  own  uubjects  for  the  sake  of  its  own  subjects.'':}: 
All  this  occurred  in  the  Middle  Ages,  in  the  good  old 
Catholic  times.     Now-a-days  shallow  men  write  of  them  as 

*  "Essay  Contributing  to  a  Pljilosophy  of  Literature,"  by 
B.  A.  M. 

t  "  Miscellanea." 

t  "  Office  and  Work  of  Universities,"  by  Jolin  Ileniy  New- 
man, D.D. 


454  Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 

the  "  Dark  Ages  " — ages  whicli  never  had  any  existence 
save  in  their  own  unenlightened  skulls  and  diseased  iniagi- 
nations  !* 


RISE   OF   CATHOLIC   COLLEGES  IN  AMERICA. 

The  spirit  of  faith  which  created  Paris  and  Oxford  did 
not  fail  to  lead  the  way  in  the  work  of  higher  education  in 
America.  The  Jesuits  had  founded  a  college  at  Quebec 
several  years  before  Harvard  College — the  oldest  Protestant 
institution  in  the  United  States — was  established  in  New 
England.  "Its  foundation  was  laid,"  writes  Bancroft, 
"  under  happy  auspices  in  1635,  just  before  Champlain 
passed  from  among  the  living ;  and  two  years  before  the 
emigration  of  John  Harvard,  and  on3  year  before  the 
General  Court  of  Massachusetts  had  made  provisions  for  a 
coilege."t 

In  the  English  colonies,  a  Catholic  college  was  out  of  the 
question.  The  penal  laws,  like  watch-dogs  of  ignorance 
and  fanaticism,  prevented  any  such  rash  undertaking.  But 
there  was  one  exception.  During  Governor  Dongan's  terra 
of  office,  three  Jesuit  Fathers  profited  by  their  brief  stay 
to  open  a  college  at  New  York.  The  Catholic  element, 
however,  was  too  weak  to  support  it.  Of  this  we  may 
judge  by  the  following  paragraph  from  a  letter  written  by 


♦  Speaking  of  the  effects  of  the  so-called  Reformation  on  the 
English  Universities,  the  Protestant  Warton  writes:  "At  Oxford 
the  public  schools  were  neglected  by  the  professors  and  pupils, 
and  allotted  to  the  lowest  purposes.  Academical  degrees  were 
abrogated  as  anti-Christian.  Reformation  was  turned  into 
fanaticism."  Anthony  Wood,  writing  in  1563,  tells  us  there  were 
only  three  divines  in  Oxford  University  capable  of  preaching  a 
sermon.  And  with  such  facts  staring  them  in  the  face,  ignorant 
editors  and  preachers  have  the  lying  audacity  to  tell  us  that 
Protestantism  and  learning  began  together  I  It  is  time  that  this 
repetition  of  fiction  would  stop. 

t  •'  History  of  the  United  States, '»  Vol.  IH. 


The  Catholic  Colleges. 


455 


the  bigoted  Jacob  Leisler  to  the  Governor  of  Boston  in 
lOSO :  "  I  have  foiTnerly  urged,''  he  writes,  "  to  inform 
Yonr  llonr.  that  Coll.  Dongan,  in  his  time  did  erect  a  Jesuite 
tolledge  upon  Cullour  to  learn  Latine  to  the  judges  West. 
)[r.  (iraham.  Judge  Palmer,  and  John  Tudor  did  contribute 
their  sons  for  eome  time,  but  noboddy  imitating  them,  the 
colledge  vanished."* 

Several  years  after  the  Revolution,  Bishop  Carroll  found- 
ed Georgetown  College.  Some  time  later,  St.  Mary's  Col- 
lege, Baltimore,  was  established.  It  was  chartered  in  ISOS.f 
Mount  St.  Mary's,  Emraittsburg,  stands  next  in  point  of  age. 
In  1809,  Fathers  Fen  wick  and  Kohlman,  of  the  Society  of 
Jesus,  opened  a  collegiate  school  in  New  York.  It  soon 
acquired  such  reputation, "  even  among  Protestants,  that  Gov- 
ernor Tompkins,  afterwards  Vice-President  of  the  United 
States,  thought  none  more  eligible  for  the  education  of  his 
own  children,  and  ever  afterwards  professed  towards  its  presi- 
dent the  highest  esteem.":}:  The  burden  of  carrying  on  the 
college,  however,  soon  became  too  weighty,  and  in  1813,  the 
Fathers  retired  from  its  direction.  St.  Mary's  College,  near 
Lebanon,  and  St.  Joseph's  College,  Bardstown,  Kentucky, 
began  their  work  in  tlie  early  part  of  this  century,  and  were 
the  pioneer  Catholic  colleges  in  the  Mississippi  Valley.  St. 
Louis  University  was  founded  in  1829.  St.  Joseph's  Col- 
lege, near  Mobile,  and  St.  Xavier's  College  under  the  name 
of  the  Atheneum  began — the  first  in  1830,  the  second  the 
following  year.  In  1830,  St.  Mary's  College,  Wilmington, 
Delaware,  was  founded. f  St.  John's  College,  Fordham,  N. 
Y. ;  the  College  of  the  Holy  Cross,  Worcester,  Massachusetts ; 
and  the  University  of  Xotre  Dame,  Indiana,  arose  between 
1S40  and  1850.  In  1851,  Santa  Clara  College  was  founded  on 
the  Pacific  coast.  During  the  last  quarter  of  a  century  our 
collegiate   institutions    have  multiplied    in  numbers  with 

*  Dr.  E.  B.  O'Callajrhan's  *'Doc.  Hist,  of  N.  T.,"  Vol.  II.  Bayley's 
'Hist,  of  the  Cath.  Ch.  on  N.  Y.  Island." 
t  Since  suspended. 
\  Quoted  by  De  Courcy  in  bis  '*  Cath.  Ch.  m  the  U.  S." 


ill 


liiLl 


is  < 


456  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

unequalled  rapidity.  There  are  at  present  (1876)  in  the 
United  States  seventy-five  Catholic  Colleges  and  Semi- 
naries, with  powers  to  confer  degrees. 

We  will  now  give  brief  sketches  of  a  few  of  the  more 
remarkable  of  those  institutions. 


(1).    GEORaETOwif  College,  D.  C. 

This  is  tho  oldest  and  most  venerable  Catholic  seat  of  learn- 
ing in  the  United  States.  It  was  founded  by  Bluhop  Carroll,  in 
1789,  and  two  years  later  opened  its  halls  to  students.  At  first 
it  was  simply  a  preparatory  school.  "  In  those  days,"  says  the 
record,  "the  scholars  did  not  board  in  the  college,  and  tho 
teachers  received  salaries."  The  first  student  was  William 
Gaston,  of  North  Carolina,  who  was  indebted  to  the  college 
"on  account  of  board  for  £5  15s."  It  need  not  be  stated  that 
the  celebrated  man  discharged  that  and  all  other  debts  to  his 
God  and  his  country.  No  poet,  painter,  or  philosopher  could 
have  selected  a  place  more  picturesque,  and  in  other  respects 
better  adapted  for  a  college  than  the  suburbs  of  Georgetown. 

Tradition  has  preserved  the  details  of  Washington's  visit  to 
Georgetown.  The  little  college  wos  yet  surrounded  by  a  white- 
washed paling  fence,  when  the  Father  of  his  Country  arrivod 
on  horseback,  without  suite  and  unattended.  He  led  bis  horse 
to  the  simple  enclosure,  and  was  first  received  by  the  late  Rev. 
Wllliara  Matthews,  then  a  young  professor.  The  Fathers  gave 
him  a  most  cordial  welcome.  On  visiting  the  whole  establish- 
ment, Washington  expressed  his  admiration  at  the  magnificent 
view  which  the  heights  of  Georgetown  enjoy;  but,  as  it  was 
winter,  and  an  icy  breeze  made  the  party  shiver,  the  great 
General  observed  that  they  had  to  purchase  tho  beauties  of  nat- 
ure in  summer  by  the  winter's  storm. 

In  the  fall  of  1801,  the  standard  of  studies  was  raised,  and 
Georgetown  became  a  college.  In  May,  1815,  James  Madison 
being  President  of  the  United  States,  tlie  college  was  elevated 
by  act  of  Congress  to  the  rank  of  a  university.  Shortly  after 
this  date,  tho  Jesuit  Fathers  look  formal  control  of  the  institu- 
tion, for  up  to  this  they  were  often  assisted  by  other  clergy- 
men. Its  prosperity  dates  from  this  point.  In  1813,  tho  astro- 
nomical observatory  was  erected.  Tho  medical  department 
was  opened  in  May,  1851,  and  the  law  department  in  October, 
1870. 


The  Catholic  Colleges. 


457 


Tlio  college  contains  a  splendid  library  of  30,000  volumes;  a 
botanical  conservatory;  and  a  woU-iilled  and  tttHtefully  arranged 
cabinet  of  mineralogy  and  geology.  The  total  numbor  of  gradu- 
ates i.s  786.  Of  these,  354  belong  to  the  arts,  571  to  the  medical, 
and  (U  to  the  law  departments.  The  present  nunber  of  stu- 
dents i.s  280;  professors,  40.  The  College  Journal  is  a  monthly 
coiulucted  by  the  students.  Georgetown  University  has  had 
twonty-two  presidents.  The  first  w^as  Father  Robert  Plunkett, 
S.J. ;  among  the  others  were  Louis  Dubourg,  afterwards  Bishop  of 
>'ew  Orleans;  Leonard  Neale,  afterwards  Archbishop  of  Balti- 
more: and  Benedict  J.  Fenwick,  afterwards  Bishop  of  Boston. 
Ainc  «g  the  distinguislied  professors  of  Georgetown  may  be 
mentioned  Fathers  Wallace,  Kohluian,  Secchi,  Ward,  Fulton, 
and  Sumner — all  authors  in  some  department  of  science  or  lit- 
erature. The  present  president,  Rev.  Patrick  F.  Healy,  S.J., 
was  born  in  Georgia,  in  1834,  and  graduated  at  Holy  Cross  Col- 
lege, Worcester,  in  1850.  He  entered  the  Society  of  Jesus  the 
game  year;  made  his  course  of  philosophy  and  theology  in 
Rome  and  Belgium ;  held  a  professorship  for  several  years  at 
Georgetown,  and  was  appointed  president  of  the  university  in 
1873. 

(2).    Mount  St.  Maky's  College,  Emmittsbubg,  Md. 

In  its  early  days,  no  other  iTistitution  exercised  such  a  pow- 
erful influence  on  the  destiny  of  the  Catliolic  Church  in  the 
United  States  as  Mount  St.  Mary's  College.  It  is  the  Alma 
Muter  of  some  of  our  greatest  prelates.  This  seat  of  learning, 
situated  at  the  foot  of  the  Blue  Ridge  Mountains,  in  Frederick 
county,  Maryland,  about  fifty  miles  from  Baltimore,  was  founded 
in  1809,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Dubois,  afterwards  Bishop  of  New  York. 
An  ecclesiastical  seminary  at  first,  it  gradually  assumed  the 
scope  of  a  general  college.  The  early  college  was  simply  a  log 
building.  All  its  beauty  was  within  its  wooden  walls,  in  its 
president,  Dubois,  its  "guardian  angel,"  Brute,  and  its  stu- 
dents. In  the  summer  of  1826,  Faculty  and  students  took  pos- 
session of  the  new  edifice.  During  the  presidency  of  Rev.  Dr. 
Purcoll  (now  the  venerable  Archbishop  of  Cincinnati),  the  col- 
k';,'o  was  chartered,  and  empowered  to  confer  degrees,  in  1830. 
It  is  strictly  a  Catholic  college.  Since  1851,  all  students  entering 
its  halls  must  be  willing  to  be  instructed  in  the  doctrines  and 
practices  of  the  Catholic  Church.  Among  the  graduates  of 
Mount  St.  Mary's  are  ten  or  twelve  Bishops  and  Archbishops. 
Of  these  are  his  Eminence  Cardinal  McCloskey,  Archbishop 


458  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

Hughes,  and  Arclibishop  PurcoU.  The  present  president  of  this 
famous  collt'ffo  is  Rev.  John  McCloskey,  D,D.,  a  native  of 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

(3).     St.  Louis  Uxiveusity,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

St.  Louis  University  is  the  oldest  Catholic  institution  in  the 
Mississippi  V^alley  with  the  rank  and  privileges  of  a  university. 
It  was  founded  in  1829,  by  the  Fathers  of  the  Society  of  Jesus 
and  three  years  later  was  incorporated  by  an  act  of  the  State 
Legislature.  Among  its  founders  was  the  celebrated  Indian 
missionary.  Father  Do  Smet,  who  Iielped  to  build  it  with  his 
own  hands,  and  who  was  its  first  treasurer.  It  pos.sesses  an 
excellent  library  of  16,500  volumes,  a  complete  philosophical 
and  chemical  apparatus,  and  a  valuable  museum.  The  total 
number  of  graduates  is  174;  present  number  of  students,  353; 
and  professors,  17.  Among  its  professors  is  Rev.  Walter  II.  lUH, 
S.J.,  author  of,  perhaps,  the  best  Catholic  treatise  on  Logic 
and  General  Metaphysics  in  the  English  language.  The  Rev.  L. 
Bushart,  S.J.,  a  native  of  Belgium,  is  president  of  the  uni- 
versity. 

(1).    St.  Joseph's  College,  Spuixq  Hill,  Ala. 

St.  Josepli's  College,  Spring  Hill,  near  Mobile,  Alabama,  was 
founded  in  1830,  by  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Portier.  It  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  Society  of  Jesus  in  1834,  and  two  years  subse- 
quently it  was  incorporated,  with  all  the  rights  and  privilegesof  a 
university.  Pope  Gregory  XVI.  granted  it  the  power  of  con- 
ferring the  degree  of  D.D.  It  possesses  a  good  museum  and 
geological  collection,  and  a  library  of  about  5,000  volumes.  The 
etudents  number  120,  with  20  professors.  In  1869,  the  college 
was  destroyed  by  fire,  and  everything  lost — library,  museum, 
list  of  graduates,  etc.  It  has  been  rebuilt  on  a  much  better 
plan.     The  president  is  Rev.  Fatlier  Baudequin,  S.J. 


I' 


(5).    St.  Xavier's  College,  Cixcinnati. 

This  institution  was  founded  in  the  fall  of  1831,  by  tlie  Right 
Rev.  E.  D.  Fenwick,  D.D.,  under  the  name  of  The  Atheimim. 
In  1840,  Archbishop  Purcell  (then  Bishop)  transferred  it  to  the 
Fathers  of  the  Society  of  Jesus,  and  two  years  later  it  was  incor- 
jjorated  and  granted  the  usual  privileges  of  a  university.  It 
has  a  library  of  14,000  volumes;  a  good  museum,  containing 
amongst  other  collections  specimens  in  conchology,  geology,  and 


The  Catholic  Colleges, 


459 


mlnoralopry.  The  tot  il  number  of  grad  uates  is  230 ;  present  num- 
ber of  ftudents,  250;  profcsfiors,  17.  Among  its  distinguished 
profi'ssors,  at  varioux  periods  of  its  liistory,  wore  Rev.  W.  H. 
Hill,  S.J.,  Rev.  P.  F.  (jaraslu-,  S.J.,  and  Rev.  John  De  Rlieck, 

S.J. 

Hov.  Edward  A.  Hiargins,  S.J.,  the  acconiph'shed  President  of 
St.  Xavi«M*'8,  is  a  Kcntuckian  by  birtli,  and  received  liis  early 
eduoafion  at  St.  Joseph's  College,  Rardstown,  Ky.  In  1854,  he 
entered  the  Society  of  Jesus,  and  after  tlie  usual  term  of  noviti- 
ate, study,  and  teaching,  was  ordained  priest.  lie  was  appointed 
to  Lis  present  position  in  1874. 


(6).    St.  John's  Colleob,  Fordham,  New  Youk  City. 

This  is  tlio  oldest,  and,  in  many  respects,  the  most  famous 
Catholic  seat  of  learning  in  the  Middle  States.  It  was  foundc  1 
by  Archbishop  Hughes  in  1811;  and  was  opened  in  the  summer 
of  that  year,  under  the  direction  of  the  secular  clergy.  At  first, 
it  was  named  "  Rose  Hill  College,"  after  the  estate  on  which  it 
is  built. 

St.  John's  College  was  committed  to  the  charge  of  the  Jesuit 
Fathers  in  1845;  and  in  the  spring  of  the  following  year  it  was 
raised  by  the  Legislature  to  the  rank  of  a  university.  It  has 
within  its  gift  each  and  every  university  degree.  Among  the 
Presidents  of  St.  John's  were  the  following  distinguished  men : 
His  Eminence  Cardinal  McCloskey,  the  first  president  ;  Am- 
brose Manahan,  D.D.,  author  of  the  "Triumph  of  Catholicity"; 
Archbishop  Hayley,  of  Baltimore;  and  the  eloquent  Father  Lar- 
kin,  S.J.,  a  fellow-student  of  Wiseman  and  Lingard,and  the  pre- 
ceptor of  the  present  honored  president. 

The  college  possesses  a  valuable  library  of  20,000  volumes,  in- 
cluding a  large  number  of  rare  works  on  Oriental  literature;  a 
very  interesting  museum,  which,  among  other  collections,  em- 
braces a  mineralogical  cabinet  of  about  JJ,000  specimens;  a  well- 
arranged  geological  collection  of  5,000  specimens;  and  a  garden 
anil  green-house,  which  alford  many  advantages  to  the  botani- 
cal student. 

The  total  number  of  graduates  is  381 — 345  in  course,  and  36 
honorary.  Of  the  345  graduates  in  course,  219  follow  prol'os- 
sional  careers,  and  92  embraced  the  clerical  state.  Bishop  Rose- 
crans,  of  Columbus,  Ohio,  is  a  graduate  of  1847.  Among  those 
who  received  the  honorary  degree  of  LL.D.  from  St.  John's  Col- 


460  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

Icffe  are  O.  A.  Brownson,  the  dihtinguihlied  Catholic  writer  and 
philoflopher;  E.  B.  O'CallaKlian,  tlio  oininont  hlHtorian;  (ien. 
Thomas  Francis  Moa^her;  Gen.  Martin  T.  McMahon ;  Hon.  Rich- 
ard O'Gorman;  Hon.  John  McKoon;  Senator  Francio  Kurrmii- 
and  Jolin  Savage,  tlio  poet. 

Tlio  majority  of  the  old  clerpy  of  Now  York  Diocese  were  edu- 
cated at  St.  John's  by  the  Jo.suit  Fathers.  Among  the  profes- 
sors at  that  time  wore  men  of  more  than  marked  excellence,  who 
taught  theology  from  their  own  manuscripts.  Foremost  among 
them  was  the  lamented  Father  Maldonado,  S.  J.,  ex-Rector  of  the 
University  of  Salamanca.  This  profound  scholar  died  three 
years  ago  at  Woodstock,  when  on  the  eve  of  retiring  from  his 
office  of  professor,  in  order  to  devote  the  remainder  of  his  days 
to  the  work  of  preparing  his  magnificent  course  of  theology  for 
the  press. 

There  are  many  interesting  itesns  connected  with  the  beauti- 
ful grounds  of  this  institution.  The  Bronx  River  is  historic. 
The  college  infirmary  was  for  one  night  the  head-(iuarters  of 
Washington.  The  grand  old  gnarled  \nllow  tree  before  the  col- 
lege entrance  is  famous,  tradition  asserting  that  the  Father  of 
his  Country,  during  the  Revolutionary  war,  tied  his  horse  to  it. 
In  fact,  it  is  veritable  "  Centennial  "  ground.  The  stately  elms 
under  which  the  annual  commencements  take  place  are  more 
than  a  century  old.  They  are  ofTshoots  from  the  estate  of  Holy- 
rood,  belonging  to  the  Scottish  family  of  the  Sterlings. 

Among  the  distinguished  professors  at  St.  John's,  not  already 
named,  were  Rev.  A.  J.  Thebaud,  S.J.,  author  of  the  "  Irish  Race' 
and  *'  Gentilism";  Rev.  L.  Joiiin,  S.J.,  an  eminent  linguisist  and 
scientist,  and  author  of  a  "Mental  and  Moral  Philosophy"  in 
Latin;  Rev.  J.  Moylan,  S.J.,  controversial  lecturer  at  the  Gesu, 
Montreal;  Right  Rev.  F.  P.  McFarland,  late  Bishop  of  Hartford; 
and  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Conroy,  Bishop  of  Albany.  The  last  two 
were  professors  in  the  early  days  of  the  college. 

When  the  late  civil  war  broke  out,  four  priests,  at  the  call  of 
Archbishop  Hughes,  left  St.  John's  College  to  serve  as  regiment- 
al chaplains.  They  were  Rev.  Fathers  O'Reilly,  Tissot,  Ouillet, 
and  Nash.  Thousands  of  brave  officers  and  soldiers,  veterans 
of  the  army,  will  recall  the  dovotedness  and  heroism  of  these 
Jesuits. 

The  President  of  the  college.  Rev.  Frederick  William  Gockeln, 
S.  J.,  a  venerable  man,  an  accomplished  scholar,  and  an  eminent 
educator,  was  born  in  Westphalia,  Prussia.  He  entered  the  Society 
of  Jesus  in  his  twentieth  year,  and  made  his  studies  chiefly  in  Can- 


The  Catholic  Colleges* 


461 


Ada  nnd  France.  Ordained  In  the  latter  country,  he  returned  to 
the  Initcd  States,  and  for  many  years  ttllod  the  responsibJo 
cliarK»'M  «f  professor,  pref€»ct  of  studios,  and  vice-president  in  va- 
rious collctfcs  of  tlio  Society.  In  1874,  ho  was  elected  to  his  pres- 
iiit  pOi-^ition. 

TliouKh  but  a  third  of  a  century  In  existence,  St.  John's  Col- 
lege already  wears  the  honors  of  ago.     ^^ £sto perpetua.^^ 


(7).    University  of  Notre  Dame,  Indiana. 

This  institution  was  founded  by  the  Very  Rev.  Edward  Sorin, 
CS.C.  and  the  Congregation  of  the  Holy  Cross,  in  1842.  Two 
years  subsequently  it  was  chartered  by  the  Legislature  of  Indi- 
ana, with  all  the  rights  and  privik-ges  of  a  university.  It  may 
be  siiid,  with  truth,  that  its  growth  and  the  sphere  of  its  useful- 
ness have  kept  pace  with  the  progress  of  years.  It  po^oosses  a 
museum,  quite  varied  and  extensive,  embracing  4,000  species 
and  over  10,000  specimens  of  birds  and  quadrupeds  stuffed,  and 
lithographed;  besides  upwards  of  14,000  specimens  of  plants, 
both  native  and  foreign.  There  is  also  a  respectable  and  rapidly 
increasing  geological  collection,  especially  rich  in  Colorado  and 
Lake  Superior  specimens.  In  addition  to  these,  there  is  a  fine 
selection  of  Indian,  Chinese,  and  other  curiosities.  The  library 
contuins  15,000  volumes.  The  total  number  of  graduates  is  about 
5(H);  present  number  of  students,  ^58;  and  professors,  40.  The 
Kotre  Dame  Scholastic  is  a  weekly  conducted  by  the  students. 

Among  the  professors  of  this  institution  who  have  been,  more 
or  less,  eminent  as  men  of  letters  are :  Kev.  N.  II.  fjille.spie,C.S.C., 
lute  editor  of  the  Aoe  Mirin ;  T.  E.  Howard,  M.A,,  author  of 
"Essays  on  Politeness  and  Education,"  and  other  works;  Rev. 
A.  Louage,  CS.C,  author  of  "Ancient  Literature,"  etc.;  J.  A. 
Lyons,  M.A.,  author  of  the  "American  Elocutionist,"  etc.;  Rev. 
Michael  Mullen  ("  Clonfert ");  A.  J.  Staco,  M.A. ;  Rev.  J.  M.  J. 
Graham;  H.  J.  Zander;  and  Gardner  Jones,  LL.D. 

Rev.  Patrick  J.  Colovin,  CS.C,  the  young  and  learned  Presi- 
dent of  Notre  Dame  University,  was  born  in  London,  Canada, 
in  1840.  He  was  educated  in  the  College  of  St.  Laurent,  near 
Montreal;  entered  the  Congregation  of  the  Holy  Cross;  was 
ordained  priest;  filled  professors'  chairs  in  philosophy  and  the- 
ology; and  in  1875  was  elected  to  his  pre.'^ent  position. 

Notre  Dame  is  young,  and  is  situated,  comparatively  speaking, 
in  a  new  country.  Yet,  its  course  of  studies  is  very  high — its 
record  most  honorable.  The  enlightened  enterprise  and  religi- 
ous spirit  of  its  conductors  deserve  no  common  praise.  The  Uni- 


4:.  -i 


.  ''Hi 


462  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

versity  is  eppoclally  dedicated  to  the  Blessed  Virgin.  Evidently 
it  is  destined  to  become  one  of  the  greatest  Cutiiolie  toats  o! 
learning  in  the  United  States. 

(8).    ViLLAA'ovA  College,  Pexnstlvaxia.  ' 

Tills  is  the  oldest  Catholic  College  in  Pennsylvania.  It  wag 
founded  by  the  Augustinian  Fathers  in  1812,  and  six  years  «ub- 
Ptquently  was  incorporated  and  empowered  to  confer  dogreos. 
It  is  situated  in  a  pleasant  country  place,  eleven  miles  from 
l^hiladelphia.  It  possesses  a  well-selected  library  of  about  10,- 
000  volumes.  The  Alumni  number  49;  students,  95;  piofessors 
14.     The  president  is  Rev.  Dr.  Middleton,  O.S.A. 

(9).    College  of  the  Holy  Cross,  Worcester,  Mass. 

This  College — the  oldest  Catholic  seat  of  learning  in  New 
England — was  founded  by  the  lli^'ht  Rev.  Benedict  J.  Fenwick, 
D.D.,  S.J.,  Bishop  of  Boston,  in  the  summer  of  1813.  It  is  con- 
ducted by  the  Fathers  of  the  Society  of  Jesus.  The  bigoted 
Legislature  of  Massachusetts  for  a  third  of  a  century,  refused  to 
grant  it  a  churtor.  It  was  only  in  18(55  that  it'was  empowered 
to  confer  degrees.  Holy  Cross  possesses  a  library  of  11,000  vol- 
umes, and  a  good  geological  collection.  The  number  of  stu- 
dents is  IGO;  professors,  16.  Rev.  J.  B.  O'llagan,  S.J.,  the  Pres- 
ident, was  born  in  Ireland  in  1820.  Entering  the  Society  of 
Jesus,  ho  made  his  studies  in  Belgium;  served  as  one  of  the 
chaplains  during  the  whole  of  the  late  civil  war  ;  and  was 
elected  to  his  present  position  some  time  ago.  This  college  is 
exclusively  Catholic. 

(10).    College  of  St.  Francis  Xavier.  N.  Y.  Citt. 

This  well-known  institution  was  founded  in  1847,  by  the 
Fathers  of  the  Society  of  Jesus.  Thirteen  years  subsequently 
it  was  incorporated,  and  empowered  to  confer  degrees.  It  pos- 
sesses a  good  museum,  philosophical  apparatus,  collections  for 
the  study  of  natural  science,  and  a  library  of  16,000  volumes. 
The  Alumni  number  about  300;  students,  400;  professors  and 
t  utors,  33.  Among  the  members  of  the  faculty  who  are  eminent  as 
men  of  letters,  scholars,  or  educators,  are  Rev.  A.  J.  Thebaud, 
S.J. ;  Rev.  Joseph  Shea,  S.J.,  formerly  President  of  St.  John's 
College,  Fordham;  and  Rev.  John  A.  Treanor,  S.J.,  the  Vice- 
President.  The  President,  Rev.  Henry  lludon,  S.J.,  is  a  native 
of  Canada.    St.  Francis  Xavier's  is  a  day-college. 


The  Catholic  Colleges. 


463 


(11).    Sajjt\  Clara  Collkok,  California. 

Thif*  i8  tho  oldest  ratliollc  rollc^o  on  tlio  Pnciflc  Const.  It 
wii.«  founded  by  Hov.  John  Noblli,  S.  J.,  in  IH.'il,  in  tlio  benutifnl 
viilloy  of  Santa  Clara.  Fonr  years  later  it  won  ineorporatid,  and 
puiptiwered  to  eonfer  degrooH.  It  poKsesseM  a  eoiuple*  »  pliilo- 
fopliiciil  upparatuH ;  a  library  of  12,000  volunien ;  a  largo  collection 
of  fipeciniens  for  the  study  of  geology,  mineralogy,  and  conchol- 
ojfy,  niid  a  good  chemical  laboratory.  A  monthly  magazine, 
cftllt'il  The  Oirl,  i.s  conducted  by  a  f<ociety  of  the  studentn.  Tho 
total  luunber  of  graduates  is  4(»;  present  number  of  students, 
2"j5;  niid  professors,  2(5.  Santa  Clara  is  under  the  direction  of  the 
Society  of  Jesus.  Rev.  A.  Varsi,  S.J.,  tho  President,  is  a  native 
ofSunliina,  and  a  ripe  and  tliiislied  scholar,  who  rati  '  his  stud- 
ios at  tho  Universities  of  Paris  and  Louvuin.  Durin;^  1  to  eight 
years  that  tho  College  has  been  finder  his  managoniont  it  has 
greatly  prospered. 


(12),    Maxitattax  College,  N.  Y.  City. 

Th'  's  tho  chief  educational  establishment  of  tho  Christian 
Brothers  in  this  Kepublic.  It  was  Ih-st  opened  as  an  academy 
about  1853,and  ten  years  subfie([uently  was  raised  to  tho  rank  of  a 
Colle},'e,  and  empowered  to  confer  degrees.  Its  growth  and 
marked  success  have  been  principally  due  to  tho  learning 
mill  administrative  ability  of  Rev.  Brothers  Patrick,  Paulian,  and 
Ambrose.  Manhattan  possesses  a  lino  museunj;  several  curo- 
fuliy  arranged  collections  for  the  study  of  natural  science; 
and  a  library  of  about  7,000  vols.  The  study  of  the  fine  arts 
receives  much  encouragement.  Tlie  Alumni  number  about  60; 
the  students  about  200;  and  tho  faculty,  10.  The  Director  of 
the  College,  Rev.  Brother  Anthony,  is  an  American  by  birth, 
and  an  accomplished  educator. 


(13).    Seton  Hall  College,  New  Jersey.  i 

This,  the  only  Catholic  College  in  New  Jersey,  was  founded  in 
wOby  the  Most  Rev.  J.  Roosevelt  Bayley,  then  Bi.'-ihop  of  New- 
ark. In  18G1  it  was  incorporated,  and  empowered  to  confer  de- 
grees. Seton  Hall  is  conducted  by  secular  priests  and  lay  pro- 
fesiors.  TJkO  students  of  the  College,  and  of  the  .seminary  con- 
nected with  it,  number  about  lt5G.  Right  Rev.  M.  A.  Corrigan, 
the  President,  is  Bishop  of  Newark,  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  and 
one  of  the  youngest,  most  active,  and  laborious  prelates  of 
America. 


¥n 


-%     -i-i 


w- 


464  Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 

(14).  Rock  Hill  College,  Mart  land. 
This  institution  was  conunencod  as  an  aeadomy  abon*^  fifty 
years  ago.  la  1857,  it  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  Christian 
]irotliers,  who  gave  it  sucli  ai.  impulse  that  it  soon  grew  into  ti 
College,  and  as  such  was  chartered  and  empowered  to  coufor 
degrees  in  18G5.  Kock  Hill  lias  a  good  pirlosophical  apparatus 
a  well-selected  cabinet  for  the  study  cf  geology  and  niinerulou'v; 
a  library  of  about  5,000  volumes,  and  one  of  the  very  best  herba- 
riums in  the  country.  The  total  number  of  graduates  is  80; 
present  number  of  students  about  165;  and  professors  and 
tutors,  20.  Among  tlie  faculty  of  this  College,  many  of  whom 
are  men  of  marked  ability,  is  llev.  Brother  Azarias,  the  author 
of  "An  Essay  Contributing  to  a  Philosophy  of  Literuiurc." 
Rev.  Brother  Bettelin,  the  President,  is  a  native  of  Ireland,  a 
brother  of  llev.  Brother  Justin,  the  provincial  of  the  Order  in 
California,  and  a  man  of  much  administrative  ability.  Rock 
Hill  bids  fair  to  become  one  of  the  real  colleges  of  the  future, 

(15).    La  Sallk  Collegk,  Philadpu.piiia. 

This  College  was  found(;d  by  the  Christian  Brothers  in  18C2, 
and  chartered  the  follo\>ing  year.  It  possesses  a  museum,  and  a 
library  of  5,000  volumes.  The  total  number  of  graduates  is  29; 
present  number  of  students,  200;  professors,  15.  The  President 
is  Rev.  Brother  Joachim,  the  oldest  Christian  Brother,  according 
to  the  time  of  admission,  in  the  United  States.  He  was  th; 
flrsl  person  received  into  the  lirst  novitiate  opened  by  the 
Brothers  at  Baltimore. 

Looliing  back  at  the  work  acoompHshcd  by  our  colleges, 
I  think,  we  have  reason  to  be  very  grateful,  rather  than  to 
complain.  With  their  resources  they  iiave  done  well.  Cath- 
olic millionaires  are  few,  but  fewer  still  are  those  who 
endow  colleges.  We  know  one  Protestant  college  that  po.- 
sesses  a  larger  number  of  scholarships  than  the  majority  of 
the  Catholic  colleffes  together.*  This  is  not  as  it  should  be. 
Eich  Catholics  should  take  a  noble  pleasure  in  endowing 
colleges,  in  founding  scholarships  and  prizes.     According 

*  To  inform  myself  on  this  head,  I  have  carefully  looked  over 
nearly  all  the  published  r'.italogues  of  the  Catholic  and  I'lot- 
e.stant  Colleges  of  the  United  States.  At  present,  there  are  545 
degree-giving  iristitutions  in  this  country.  It  may  be  of  in- 
terest to  note  how  they  increased  during  the  last  century,  or 
more.  In  1700,  there  were  three  colleges;  in  1776,  there  were 
nine;  in  18C0,  there  were  tweniy-feii'.  and  in  1876,  there  are  545 


The  Catholic  Colleges. 


465 


to  their  means,  our  Catholic  Colleges  have  done  much  to 
elevate  the  standard  of  instruction.  Tliev  teacli  the  classics 
with  far  more  thorough ness  than  is  done  in  sectarian 
institutions  ;  while  their  facilities  to  give  a  literary  and  sci- 
entific training  to  students,  is  (juite  equal  to  anything  tlio 
gecular  colleges  can  olfer. 

CATUOLIC    EDUCATION    IN    CANADA. 

In  an  educational  point  of  view,  the  Catholics  of  Canada 
—our  neighhors  on  the  north — enjoy  advantages  which  we 
would  gladly  jwssess.  Tliey  have  a  well-organized  Catholic 
school  system  which  gets  its  due  share  of  the  puhlic  fund 
for  educational  purposes.  They  have  also  their  academies, 
colleges,  seminaries,  and  to  crown  all,  a  Catliolie  University. 
The  most  noted  of  these  institutions  are  Villa  Maria,  at 
Montreal,  an  academy  under  the  direction  of  the  Sisters  of 
the  Congregation  of  Notre  Dami?,  for  the  education  of 
young  ladies  ;  Ottawa  College,  conducted  by  the  Oblate 
Fathers  ;  the  Ecclesiastical  Seminary  of  St.  Sulpice,  Mon- 
treal; and  Laval  University,  Quebec. 

Laval  Univkusity. 

This  seat  of  learning,  the  only  Catholic  University  in  Canada, 
was  founded  in  1852  by  the  Seminary  of  Queber;,  which  was 
itself  founded  in  16G3  by  Mgr.  Laval,  tluj  lirst  Bishop  of  Canada. 
Laval  University  was  empowered,  by  Royal  Charter,  to  confer 
degrees  in  arts,  science,  law,  and  medicine.  The  Holy  See 
frave  it  the  privilege  of  conferring  degrees  in  Theology.  It  has 
several  of  the  finest  museums  and  collections  for  the  study  of 
science  in  America,  besides  a  complete  philosophical  apparatus, 
chemical  laboratory,  herbarium,  splendid  gallery  of  painting, 
and  a  library  of  55,000  volumes.  The  graduates  number,  (5(50; 
students,  200;  and  professors,  26.  Among  its  distinguislied  profes- 
sors have  been  the  xVbbt'  Ferland,  author  of  CnurH  (VHistnlre  fin 
Ciinada  ;  Rev.  Dr.  B.  Paquet,  author  of  Le  Libemlisme;  Rev. 
r>r.  Begin,  author  oi  //'/  Prumtutc  ct  V Tn/<iilHhil Ui'  du  ISouternin 
Poutife;  Abbe  Laverdien',  «Mli+or  of  Ihlatlons des  Jesiiites ; 3\\(\i^i:'ii 
Morin.  Crtmazie,  and  otliers.  Very  Rev.  Thomas  E.  Ihinnd, 
M.A..V.G.,  Rector  of  the  U^niversity,  is  a  native  of  Quebec,  and 
Was  l)orn  in  1830.  For  several  years  he  made  a  special  study  of 
eoience  in  Fran'^e. 


rr 


^K 

•*'   .; 

^^w 

i<     ■■   ' 

^K 

-      i-   «■■    '     J 

^Bf' 

B 

1      h  Si       i 

^B' 

*'  T'' 

P| 

..Lifi-' 

;    ii 

AMmA 

CHAPTER  V. 

THE   CATHOLIC    ECCLESIASTICAL    SEMINARIES. 

THE  COnWCIL  OF  TRENT  AND  SEMINARIES  —  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  — 
SEMINARY  OP  ST.  BULPICE— SEMINARY  OF  ST.  CHARLES  BORROMEO— 
ST.  VINCENT'S  SEMINARY  —  MOUNT  ST.  MARYS  OF  THE  WEST  — 
SEMINARY  gOF   OUR  LADY  OF  ANGELS — ST.   JOSEPH'S   SEMINARY. 

Ecclesiastical  seminaries  are  colleges  for  the  education 
of  the  clergy.  The  Council  of  Trent,  by  its  eighteenth 
chapter,  twenty-seventh  sessions,  commands  the  establish- 
nient  of  seminaries  in  every  diocese  in  Christendom,  giving 
to  each  Bishop  authority  ove^  the  professors,  and  making 
the  expense  of  educating  ecclesiastics  a  charge  on  the 
faithful. 

The  foundation  of  the  first  Catholic  seminary  in  the 
United  States  carries  us  back  to  the  year  1791.  In  the  sum- 
mer of  that  year,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Nagot  opened  the  Semi- 
nary  of  St.  Sulpice  in  Baltimore.  Mount  St.  Mary's  Semi- 
nary, Emmittsburg,  comes  next  in  ])oint  of  time,  being 
founded  by  Father  Dubois  in  1809.  The  saintly  and 
learned  Father  David*  (afterwards  Bishop)  founded  St. 
Joseph's  Seminary,  near  Bardstown,  in  1811.  The  new  in- 
stitution was  commenced  in  a  small  log-cabin,  as  were  many 
of  the  other  primitive  seminaries.  The  first  seminary  of 
the  Priests  of  the  Mission  was  at  the  Barrens,  Perry  county, 
Missouri,  and  was  opened  in  1818.  "  It  became,"  writes 
Dr.  R.  H.  Clarke,  "  the  Alma  Mater  of  many  of  the  best 
educated  Catholic  youth  of  the  Southwest,  and  the  fruitful 
mother    of    priests   and   bishops."      The   learned   Francis 

*  Father  David  was  the  ftrxt  clergyman  in  the  United  States  who  estab- 
lished the  salutary  exercises  called  spiritual  retreats.  It  was  his  custom  to 
give  four  retreats  a  year  to  each  of  his  congregations. — "Lives  of  the  De- 
ceased Biiihops,"  Vol.  I. 

(466) 


iilil! 


The   Catholic  Ecclesiastical  Seminaries*      467 

Patrick  Kenrick,  Bishop  of  Philadelphia,  established  the 
Seminary  of  St.  Cliarles  Borromeo  in  1838.  Five  years 
later,  the  Fathers  of  the  Congregation  of  the  Mission 
founded  St.  Vincent's  Seminary  at  Cape  Girardeau,  Mis- 
souri. For  over  a  third  of  a  century  the  old  seminary  at 
Fordham,  N.  Y.,  under  the  charge  of  the  Jesuit  Fathers, 
trained  many  of  our  ablest  and  most  zealous  priests.  In 
185 1,  Mount  St.  Mary's  of  the  West  was  opened  by  Arch- 
bishop Purcell ;  and  four  years  after,  the  Seminary  of  St. 
Francis  de  Sales  was  founded  near  Milwaukee.  Our  Lady 
of  Angels  at  Niagara  Falls  began  its  honorable  career  in 
1856;  and  St.  Joseph's  Seminary  at  Troy,  N.  Y.,  was  for- 
mally opened  by  Archbishop  Hughes  in  1864.  To-day, 
there  are  thirty-three  Catholic  theological  seminaries,  with 
twelve  hundred  and  seventy-three  ecclesiastical  students. 
Eighty- six  years  ago,  the  Catholic  Church  did  not  possess 
even  (yne  such  institution  in  the  United  States. 

We  here  present  brief   sketches  of  a  few  of  the  more 
prominent  seminaries  in  the  United  States. 


(1).     Semixary  of  St,  Sulpice,  Baltimore,  Md. 

As  already  stated,  this  is  the  oldest  Catholic  institution  of  the 
kind  in  the  United  States.  It  was  founded  by  Rev.  Francis 
Charles  Nagot,  S.S.,  and  three  priests  of  the  Society  of  St.  Sul- 
pice, in  1791.  On  liis  arrival,  Rev.  Mr.  Nagot  at  once  "bought 
iin  inn  with  four  acres  of  ground  for  the  sum  of  850  pounds 
Maryland  currency,"  and  without  delay  opened  his  seminary.  In 
1806,  the  collegiate  department,  under  the  title  of  St.  Mary's 
College,*  was  raised  to  the  rank  of  a  university  by  the  Mary- 
land Legislature;  and,  in  1822,  the  holy  See  conferred  upon 
the  seminary  the  rank  of  a  Catholic  University,  with  power  to 
grant  degrees  in  theology  and  the  sciences.  This  venerable 
seminary  occupies  a  central  position  in  Baltimore,  and  is  one 
of  the  attractions  of  the  "Monumental  City." 


*St.  Mary's  College  was    closed  In    1852.    Loyola   College,    ander   the 
Jesuit  Fathers,  may  be  regarded  aa  its  succesaor. 


i^a?; 


468  Catholicity  in  the   United  States. 

(2).    Seminary  of  St.  Charles  Borromeo,  Overbrook,  Pa. 

This  institution  was  founded  by  the  learned  and  zoulous 
Francis  Patrick  Konrick,  D.D.,  coadjutor  Bishop  of  Philadel- 
phia, in  1838.  During  tlie  same  year,  it  was  empowered  to  con- 
fer degrees.  It  possesses  a  very  complete  collection  of  Pon- 
tifical medals  from  the  earliest  times  to  the  last  of  Pius  IX. 
But  three  are  missing.  The  library  contains  9,500  volumes. 
The  present  number  of  students  is  122 ;  professors,  7.  Aiaoiiff 
the  members  of  the  Faculty  is  Very  Rev.  James  A.  Corcoran, 
D.D.,  the  distinguished  theologian,  and  editor  of  the  ^^  American 
Catholic  Quarterly  Reniew.''''  Of  the  eminent  professors  who 
taught  in  this  institution,  we  can  name  the  two  Archbishops 
Kenrick  ;  Bishops  O'Connor,  Domcnec,  Amat,  O'Hara,  and 
Shannahan.  The  Rector  of  St.  Charles  Borromeo  is  \^.  Rev. 
Charles  P.  O'Connor,  a  native  of  Wilmington,  Delaware.  The 
seminary  building,  which  is  at  Overbrook,  about  five  miles 
from  Philadelphia,  is  pronounced  by  competent  judges  to  be 
one  of  the  finest  educational  structures  in  this  Republic. 

(3).    St.   Vincent's  Seminary   and   College,   Cape  Girar- 
deau, Mo. 

This  seat  of  learning  was  established  by  the  Priests  of  tlie 
Congregation  of  the  Mission,  in  1840.  The  following  year  it 
was  empowered  to  confer  degrees.  It  possesses  a  fine  cabinet, 
and  a  library  of  5,000  volumes.  The  total  number  of  graduates 
is  about  75;  present  number  of  students,  145;  and  professors 
and  tutors,  13.  Among  its  presidents  and  professors  at  various 
times  were  the  following  prelates:  Rosati,  Odin,  Timon,  Do- 
menec,  Amat,  and  Ryan  of  Buffalo.  The  Rector,  Rev.  J.  W. 
Hickey,  is  a  native  of  West  Virginia. 

(4).    Mount  St.  Mart's  of  the  West,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

This  Seminary  was  founded  by  Archbishop  Purcell,  in  1848, 
and  three  years  later  it  opened  its  doors  to  students.  *  Dr.  Pur- 

*  Thn  site  of  this  inetltution  was  gcneroosly  donated  by  Patrick  Considlne, 
The  chief  contributors  to  the  erection  of  the  ediflce  were : 

R.  Springer, 135,000 

James  &  John  Slevin,      ....  25,000 

S.  S.  Boyle, 16,000 

Patrick  Rogers, 10,(X)0 

Mrs.  Ann  Citrr,  6,000 

Mrs.  Potter 5,000 

Let  these  resperted  name.;  be  handed  down  to  pn.^terity  as  worthy  of  hnncr 
and  imitation. 


APE    GlRAR- 


The  Catholic  Ecclesiastical  Seminaries,     469 

cell  had  been  for  eight  years  the  honored  President  of  Mount 
St.  Clary's,  Emmittsburg;  and  when  he  went  West,  he  brought 
the  name  with  him.  This  younger  Mount  St.  Mary's  is  situated 
on  one  of  those  western  hills  commanding  a  panoramic  view  of 
Cincinnati  and  the  surrounding  country.  It  was  empowered  to 
confer  degrees  in  1856.  No  record  of  the  graduates  has  been 
kept.  Tlie  present  number  of  students  is  105;  professors  and 
tutors,  20.  The  library  contains  15,000  volumes,  and  is  an  lionor 
not  only  to  the  Seminary,  but  to  the  West.  It  contains  some  very 
rare  worlds.  Among  others,  three  ancient  Bibles,  one  printed 
in  Low  German  about  1470;  another  in  High  German,  in  1483; 
and  the  third,  a  Latin  edition  of  1480.  There  are  60  volumes  of 
PalmC's  edition  of  the  Bollandists'  "Acta  Sanctorum,"  217  vol- 
umes of  Migne's  complete  edition  of  the  Latin  Fathers;  and  the 
sermons  of  St.  Peter  Damian  in  MS.  of  the  fourteenth  century. 
Among  its  presidents  and  professors,  Mount  St.  Mary's  of  the 
West  numbered,  at  different  times,  Bishop  Ilosccrans,  Bishop 
yuinlan,  Rev.  Donald  X.  McLeod,  Rev.  William  Barry,  General 
John  Scammon,  Dr.  Charles  O'Leary,  and  Rev.  James  Cal- 
laghaii,  of  the  Catliolic  Telegraph. 

The  Rector,  Very  Rev.  Francis  J.  Pabisch,  D.D.,  LL.D., 
D.C.L.,  is  a  native  of  Austria,  a  graduate  of  several  of  the  great 
Roman  schools,  and  a  man  of  extensive  and  profound  knowl- 
edge. He  is  now  (1876)  engaged,  in  connection  with  Rev.  Pro- 
fessor Byrne,  in  completing  his  translation  of  Dr.  John  Alzog's 
"History  of  the  Church,"  from  the  last  German  edition. 

Mount  St.  Mary's  of  the  West  is  established,  principally,  for 
the  Ecclesiastical  Province  of  Cincinnati. 


«. 


m 


(5).  Seminary  of  Our  Lady  of  Angels,  Niagara  Falls,  N.  Y. 

This  institution  was  founded  in  the  fall  of  1856  by  Rev.  John 
Joseph  Lynch,  D.D.,C.M.,  now  Archbishop  of  Toronto,  Canada. 
In  1863,  it  was  empowered  by  the  Legislature  of  New  York  to 
confer  degrees.  It  has  a  library  of  3,000  volumes;  a  museum 
and  collections  for  the  study  of  natural  science.  The  total 
number  of  graduates  is  16 ;  present  number  of  students,  225 ;  and 
profe^^sors,  35.  The  Niagara  Index  is  edited  by  the  students. 
This  Seminary  is  conducted  by  the  Priebts  of  the  Congregation 
of  the  Mission.  Very  Rev.  Robert  E.  V.  Rice,  the  Rector,  is  a 
native  of  Missouri ;  completed  his  studies  in  Paris,  and  for  the 
last  thirteen  years  has  occupied  his  present  position. 


470  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

(6).    St.  Joseph's  Seminary,  Troy,  N.  Y. 

St.  Joseph's  Seminary  was  founded  by  Archbishop  Hughes  in 
the  fall  of  1864.     It  is  intended  cb'efly  for  the   ecclesiastical 
province  of  New  York.     It  possesses  a  library  of  8,000  volumes 
but  no  museum.    The  total  number  of  priests  ordained  in  it  is 
262 ;  present  number  of  students,  133  ;  professors,  7— tour  Belgi- 
ans and  three  Americans.     Very  Rev.  Henry  Gabriels,  S.T.L. 
the  Rector,  is  a  native  of  Belgium ;  made  his  studies  at  LouvaiD 
and  has  filled  his  present  position  since  1871.* 


*  More  than  once  it  has  been  remarked  to  the  present  writer  that  the  study 
of  the  English  language,  in  its  higher  departments,  is  somewhat  neglected  in 
certain  Catholic  Seminaries.  In  this  we  cannot  see  anything  to  praise  or 
admire.  There  is  no  good  reason  why  its  study,  in  some  form  or  other,  could 
not  be  continued  by  eacli  ecclesiastic  up  to  the  day  of  ordination.  For  the 
American  priest,  a  thorough  knowledge  of  English  is  scarcely  second  to  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  philosophy  and  theology.  Such,  at  least,  is  our 
humble  opinion. 


I 


CHAPTER  VI. 

EDUCATIONAL     REFORMS,    AND    THE     COMING     CATHOLIC 

UNIVERSITY. 


DEFECTS  OF  OUR  ELEMENTAKT  SCHOOLS — FEMALE  ACADEMIES — THE 
COLLEGES— DR.  BKOWNSON'S  OPINION— MOHE  THOROUGH  STUDY  OF 
PHILOSOPHY,  HISTORY,  AND  RELIGION  NECESSARY— BALMES'  "EURO- 
PEAN CIVILIZATION  " — WANTED  AN  ENGLISH  TEXT-BOOK  ON  PHIL- 
OSOPHY — AMERICAN  CULTURE  —  SMALL  COLLEGES  —  THE  COMING 
CATHOLIC  UNIVERSITY — WHY  IT   IS   WANTED. 

It  is  with  considerable  diffidence  that  we  venture  to  make 
some  remarks  under  the  above  heading.  Still,  the  subject 
is  one  of  no  slight  importance,  and  the  smallest  ray  of  light 
shed  upon  it  should  be  welcomed.  Every  thinking  person, 
doubtless,  has  his  own  peculiar  way  of  viewing  educational 
reforms,  and  matters  of  that  sort.  In  that  connection,  there 
are  few  articles  of  faith  to  which  all  will  subscribe.  Such 
being  the  case,  our  remarks  will  bo  made  with  the  more 
freedom,  and  in  a  frank  and  friendly  spirit.  As  our  only 
object  is  to  be  useful,  our  suggestions  are  given  simply  for 
ft'hat  they  are  worth. 

DEFECTS  OF   OUR   ELEMENTARY   SCHOOLS. 

Our  Catholic  school  system  Is  far  from  perfection.  Nor 
is  this  to  be  wondered  at,  considering  its  recent  establish- 
ment in  a  new  country  where  its  enemies  vastly  outnumber 
its  friends  and  patrons.  Among  its  defects  are :  (1)  Want 
of  thoroughly  trained  teachers;  (2)  The  too  frequent 
change  of  text-books ;  (3)  Our  faith,  as  a  science,  is  not 
taught  with  sufficient  care,  or  thoroughness ;  (4)  The  same 
may  be  said  of  our  language;  and  (5)  An  unwise  efToit  is 
made  to  teach  too  many  branches  within  the  limits  of  ai 

(471) 


'>i 


472         Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

elementary  course.  Time  will  gradually  correct  these  de- 
fects, but  the  sooner  the  correction  is  made  the  bettor. 

To  remedy  the  evil  at  its  fountain  head,  we  need  the 
establishment  of  a  number  of  Catholic  Normal  St-hools.* 
Ifowcau  young  men  and  women  become  successful  teachu-s 
without  long,  careful,  and  thorough  training?  Is  not  this 
the  course  pursued  in  the  education  of  the  priest,  the  doctor, 
and  the  members  of  all  the  learned  professions  ?  We  need  a 
good,  complete  series  of  Catholic  elementary  text-books,  by 
some  master-hand.  They  must  bo  made  iov  pupih,  not  for 
the  publisher,  or  the  author.  They  should  be  cheap,  few 
in  number,  and  small  in  size.  A  large  elementanj  text- 
book is  a  large  imposition.  It  is  often  too  extensive,  even 
for  the  teacher.  The  pupils  never  really  master  it.  In 
schools  where  there  are  many  poor  children,  the  frequent 
change  of  text-books,  which  puts  the  parents  to  much  un- 
necessary expense,  is  an  abuse — a  matter  of  conscience. 
It  has  neither  honesty  nor  wisdom  to  commend  it.  Pupila 
and  j'arents,  even  the  poorest,  have  some  rights  as  well 
as  teachers  and  publishers.  After  a  good  moral  char- 
acter, the  first  qualification  of  the  teacher  should  he  the 
ability  to  speak,  read,  and  write  our  language  with  fluency 
and  correctness.  Language  must  bo  the  vehicle  of  all 
truths,  religious  and  scientific.  How  can  that  man  teach 
truths  who  lacks  the  full  command  of  the  only  instrument 
that  will  enable  him  to  communicate  them  with  force, 
dignity,  and  precision  ? 

One  of  the  educational  evils  of  our  time  and  country  is 
want  of  thoroughness.  Too  many  things  are  taught.  Poor 
children  are  obliged  to  leave  school  at  an  early  age ;  and 
they  frequently  leave  wuth  a  smattering  of  nearly  every- 
thing— the  whole  of  nothing.     According  to   the  Worth 


*  There  are,  we  believe,  only  two  Catholic  Normal  Schools  in  the  United 
States — one  at  St.  Francis,  Wisconsin,  the  other  at  Baltimore,  Md.  Son y, 
perhaps,  may  say  that  in  this  list  we  should  include  tlio  American  novitiites 
of  the  various  teachinf;;  Orders.  These  latter  may  be  rea;arded  as  a  sort  of 
Bcmi-noimal  schools  ;  but  their  primary  object  is  to  train  up  true  religiouB. 


Educational  Reforms. 


473 


American  Heview^*  this  is  the  chief  defect  of  the  State 
public  schools. 

Catholic  schools,  it  seems,  have  not  wholly  escaped  the 
contagious  example.  Do  our  children  leave  school  well 
(rrduuded  in  the  Faith — equally  able  to  explain  or  to  defend 
iff  How  many  can  speak,  read,  and  write  the  English 
language  with  correctness  ?  Cari  they  perform  the  ordinary 
cak'i'lations  of  business  with  quickness  and  accuracy  1  Have 
they  a  clear  knowledge  of  the  laws  of  health,  and  of  the 
history,  geography,  and  government  of  the  United  States  ? 
And  if  they  do  not  know  these  things,  what  do  they  know  ? 


The  Fem/UiE  Academies. 

Tho  best  Catholic  female  academies  of  the  United  States  have, 
we  believe,  reached  a  very  praiseworthy  standard  of  efficiency. 
But  who  will  protend  to  say  that  there  is  not  yet  room  for  im- 
provement ?  In  regard  to  studies,  it  seems,  that  frequently  the 
more  useful  and  practical  are  forgotten  in  the  race  after  the 
ornamental.  This  is  not  wise.  Any  system  of  education  for 
woman,  which  neglects  to  teach  the  science  of  the  household, 
must  be  pronounced  defective.  "  Knowledge  of  housekeeping," 
writes  a  gifted  and  learned  lady,  "  real  practical  knowledge,  is  the 
most  precious  of  all  accomplishments,  and  every  sensible  woman 
will  so  regard  it,  and  not,  in  the  fashion  of  the  sillier  portion, 
degrade  it  by  giving  it  tho  name  of  drudgery,  and  considering 
it  a  mark  of  elegance  to  be  ignorant  of  household  details.  It 
is  most  precious,  because,  valuable  and  desirable  as  are  the 
various  other  parts  of  a  liberal  and  complete  education,  this  is 
indispensable  to  almost  all  women,  and  nothing  will  supply  the 
want  of  it.  "t 

"  The  ladies  of  thene  lattor  days 
Too  oft  neglect  old-fashioned  ways: 
The  thrifty  ways  their  grand  dames  knew 
How  ancient  jjarments  to  renew  ; 
How  with  elaborate  patient  care, 
The  much-worn  stoclvingg  to  repair, 


*  "Tlic  chief  danger  of  the  system,  in  our  opinion,  is  the  religious  objection 
to  it ;  its  chief  defect  is  want  of  thorougliness."— X  A.  Rev.  for  Jan.,  1876. 

tR.  V.  R.,  in  "Excelsior;  or,  Essavs  on    Politeness   and    Education," 
Part  II. 


,t 


474  Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 


By  loose-drawn  rows  of  smooth  flat  dara 

With  cotton  soft,  or  even  yarn. 

'Tis  pity  thcHC  economic  ways 

That  won  our  prrand-m&mmaa  Huch  praise, 

Arc  nowadays  near  sut  aside, 

By  thriftless  idleness  and  pride."* 


:i 


The  study  of  moral  and  intellectual  philosophy  is  now  almost 
impossible,  except  for  such  young  ladies  as  make  a  full  course 
of  Latin,  French,  or  German.  On  this  important  subject  wo 
have  no  Catholic  text-book  in  English;  and  the  more  shaiiio  for 
us  If  While  no  person  of  sense  is  anxious  to  see  the  country 
filled  with  female  theologians,  we  believe  that  a  sound,  thor- 
ough course  of  religious  instruction  is  of  paramount  importance 
in  the  education  of  young  ladies.  To  this  might  be  joined,  to  a 
certain  extent,  the  study  of  Church  History.  No  young  lady 
can  learn  the  history  of  Catholicity,  and  what  it  has  done  to 
elevate  her  sex,  without  feeling  an  increaaed  love  and  venera- 
tion for  the  Church  of  ages.  While  this  knowledge  will  tend  to 
confirm  her  faith,  it  will  increase  within  her  the  spirit  of  piety 
and  religion.  Woman  is  naturally  pious.  A  woman  without 
piety  or  religion  is  a  monstrosity. 

English  literature,  apparently,  has  not  become  a  general  study 
even  in  some  of  the  best  academies.  I  have  come  to  this  con- 
clusion after  a  careful  examination  of  the  latest  catalogues 
of  these  institutions.  This  is  to  be  regretted.  It  is  natural  for 
man  to  love  truth  and  hate  error,  when  he  sees  the  diflferonce 
between  them.  Study  alone  can  open  our  eyes  to  the  good  and 
beautiful  in  literature,  and  put  us  intelligently  on  our  guard 
against  the  vile  and  worthless  trash  now  so  common.  Now,  a 
knowledge  of  the  greatest  and  best  writers  of  our  language  and 
their  masterly  works,  cultivates  a  taste  which  is  likely  to  be  ill- 
satisfied  with  the  frivolous  productions  of  the  day.  But  enough. 
We  are  aware  how  easy  it  is  to  criticise — to  point  out  defects,  real 
or  apparent. 

The  Colleges. 

The  needful,  possible,  and  impossible  reforms  that  might  be 
made  in  our  Catholic  collegiate  system  of  education  is  a  large 
subject,  which  has  been  discussed  in  many  a  lengthy  article. 
Here,  brevity  is  necessary.  We  can  only  bUggest.  Much  that  is 
said  was,  perhaps,  said  before;  but  it  will  bear  to  be  repeated. 
"With  the  means  at  our  disposal,"  writes  the  President  of  a 


*  Ibid. 


t  See  note  p.  477. 


Eihicational  Reforms, 


475 


Catholic  college,  in  a  letter  before  ua,  "wo  have  not  done 
onouKli-"  "In  most  case's  that  have  fallen  under  our  ohserN'a- 
tion."  remarks  the  late  Dr.  Brownson,  "  the  graduates  of  our 
colle^'os  appear  to  us  very  deficient  in  both  mental  and  moral 
pultiiro,  and  even  in  literary  attainments  and  general  knowl- 
edK't'-  *  *  *  Except  those  who  enter  tlie  priesthood  or  some 
roliffions  con)munity,  few  are  ever  heard  of  in  the  intelh?etual 
orlittTiiry  world  after  leaving  college;  cortaiidy  not  in  connec- 
tion with  Catholicity.  We  have  found,  in  our  thirty  years'  ex- 
perience as  a  reviewer,  not  half  a  dcren  who  have  remained  in 
the  ranks  of  the  laity,  ready  and  able  .0  co-operate  with  us  in 
our  work  of  defending  Catholicity  and  :he  rights  of  Catholics. 
Wo  do  not  find  them,  under  the  clergy,  at  the  head  of  Catholic 
movements  in  our  cities,  and  taking  the  lead  in  efforts  to  ele- 
vate the  social  position  of  Catholics,  and  to  vindicate  their 
rii^lits.  They  are  not  seldom  confirmed  infidels,  or  indifferent 
to  all  religion,  with  only  Catholicity  enough  to  be  damned  as 
Catholics.  Such  is  the  result  of  our  experience;  and  wo  have 
Ion;?  since  placed  our  hope  for  religion  in  our  intelligent  young 
mechanics  and  laboring  men,  rather  than  in  the  graduates  of 
our  colleges."  This  is  strong  language — doubtless,  too  strong. 
It  pounds  like  tlio  roar  of  an  indignant  old  lion,  shaking  his 
mane.  But  the  venerable  philosopher  was  certainly  not  ac- 
quainted with  nil  our  college  graduates,  and,  as  he  himself 
remarks,  his  "experience  may  have  been  unfortunate."  Tlioso 
who  will  take  the  trouble  to  read  the  chapters  in  the  present 
volume  on  American  Catholic  Literature,  will  find  tlie  names  of 
not  a  few  graduates  of  Catholic  colleges — laymen  who  honored 
our  religion  both  in  word  and  work. 

We  believe  the  college  course  of  study  in  Philosophy,  History, 
and  Religion  should  be  more  thorough.  The  Catholic  young 
man  who  is  deeply  grounded  in  these  three  branches  can 
scarcely  ever  become  indifferent  to  our  holy  Faith — still  less  be- 
come a  bad  man,  or  an  infidel.  Well  understood,  these  form 
a  pyramid,  to  ^orrow  the  words  of  an  able  writer,  so  broadly 
based,  so  strongly  and  symmetrically  built,  that  it  is  capa- 
ble of  withstanding  every  kind  of  assault,  and  commands 
the  homage  of  the  human  intellect  even  when  that  homage  is 
reluctantly  given  through  the  perversity  of  a  will  obstinately 
determined  to  resist  and  oppose  the  truth,  A  careful  study  of 
logic  and  philosophy  is  absolutely  necessary  in  order  to  make 
one  expert  in  detecting  and  refuting  false  reasoning,  and  to  arm 
the  mind  against  erroneous  opinions,  false  principles,  and  tho 


i' 


*H*?  vy 


I 


476  Catholicity  in  the   United  States. 

infidel  concluHions  of  Hophistry  and  psuudo-Hcienco.  Let  hi^. 
torybo  wtiidiod  nioru  from  a  (Jhristian  stand-point  In  its  rt'lation 
to  tlio  KHMit  plan  of  (»o(l  for  tlio  rodomption  of  th»i  huinau  racu, 
We  really  possess  no  text-book  on  history  which  clearly  points 
out  the  action  of  the  (Jatholic  religion  upon  those  p<!Oples  wiiom 
it  converttnl,  in  educatiuK  them  inJo  national  f^reatness,  devel- 
oping' (Jhristian  civiii/.ation,  and  stiinjilating  all  kinds  of  noblo 
and  heroic  deeds.  This  is  the  «)nly  seientitlc  method  of  study- 
in;j:  history.  The  student  is  repeatedly  reminded  of  what  puj^'uu 
(jrecfce  and  Rome  did — perhaps  of  where  Timbuctoo  is;  hiit  of 
Catholicity,  and  its  glorious  heroes  and  history,  it  freinuutly 
liappens  that  there  is  little  said.  If  the  study  of  pliilosoiihy 
and  history  is  so  essential,  what  shall  we  say  of  th.3  study  of 
roli{,'ion  {  It  should  bo  us  extensive  and  profound  as  posf*il)lo. 
The  Catholic  graduate  should  carry  away  from  his  Alma  Muttr, 
in  his  mind,  a  full-shaped  picture  of  Christianity  in  ail  its  daz- 
zling beauty  and  grandeur,  and  ready  alike,  boldly  and  bril- 
liantly, to  explain  its  principles,  or  to  defend  its  honor. 

There  is  one  book  which,  in  our  opinion,  every  Catholic  stu- 
dent should  be  obliged  to  master  before  being  allowed  to  tak(3 
the  JJachelor's  Degree  in  either  Arts  or  Science.  It  is  Baliues' 
"European  Civilization."  This  is  a  grand  work.  It  is  history 
and  philosophy,  and  theology,  ami  science,  and  wisdom— all  in 
one  volume.  In  our  admiration  of  this  noble  work,  wo  venture 
to  assert  that  no  young  man  can  become  thoroughly  iuibued 
with  its  teachings,  and  over  afterwards  forget  himself  to  the 
extent  of  becoming  a  bad  Catholic,  or  an  infidel.* 

It  may  be  asked.  How  are  Catholic  students  to  obtain  a  course 
of  mental  and  moral  philosophy,  who  are  acquainted  with  the 
English  language  only?  There  are  many  such  in  the  feuiale 
academies,  in  the  commercial  departments  of  our  colleges,  and 
in  medical  and  law  schools.  Yet,  there  is  no  complete  pub- 
lished Catholic  text-book  in  English  suitable  for  these  promis- 
ing young  people.  Until  lately,  English  was  almost  exclusively 
the  language  of  Protestantism.    But  it  is  no  longer  so,  and  the 

*  Some  Catholic  Colleji;e3,  in  onr  opinion,  give  tlie  Master's  Degree  in  a  sort 
of  careless  manner.  We  think  it  would  be  a  great  improvement  to  confer 
Ruch  honor  on  no  one  wlio  would  not  flrst  undergo  a  successful  exiiuiination  iu 
Balnies'  "European  Civilizuf.on"  and  Sohlegcl's  "Philosophy  of  llistorj." 
Certain  chapters  of  Chateaubriand's  "Genius  of  Christianity  "  might  also  be 
required.  Tlio  broad  and  deep  foundations  of  a  Clnlstian  uducatiou  can  never 
be  too  strong.    It  is  a  life-long  duty  to  strengthen  and  repair  them. 


Educational  Reforms. 


477 


tinif^lHiH  come  for  a  change ;  indeod,  UIh  aHudcoininunt  on  Cath- 
olic HcholarHhip  nTul  onterpriH«.',  that  w«?  liavo  not  at  proHont  sov- 
cml  siicli  workH.  It  Ih  uh(!Ii>mm  to  talk  about  the  advantaKi'M  of 
tl)o  lintin  hiMKiia/^tj  a.s  a  medium  of  iuHtruetion  in  the  Huioneo 
of  philosophy.  Thoiovvas  oucd  a  time  when  Latin  wan  not  a 
|)Iiili>-opliical  lanKUHL,'t".  Il  was  only  sovoral  foiiturii's  alter  tlio 
('liijstian  era,  that  some  of  tiio  Fathers  of  the  Church  .suijcoeded 
in  making  it  a  suitable  medium  for  the  expression  of  the  truths 
of  philosophy.  Let  the  Catholic  scholars  of  to-day  do  the  same 
with  I'^iij^lish.  Let  them  mould  it  to  meet  the  wants  of  Catholic 
philosophy.  Its  vocabtilary  is  largo,  capable  of  expresf  in^'  tlio 
nicest  shades  of  thought.  We  venture  to  assert,  that  the  iiutn  who 
is  thoroughly  master  of  both  Latin  and  English,  wljo  is  ecpuilly 
familiar  with  Ht.  Tliomas'ASVf/yt//<a,  tuidthe  Plays  of  Shakespeare, 
could  easily  give  us  an  excellent  work,  in  our  languagi',  on  Catli- 
olic  i)hilo8ophy.  Let  us  have  even  o//.ft  by  all  means.  IJut  let 
us  not  stop  there.  On  every  scionoo  wo  should  have  t«;xt-book8, 
breathing  the  spirit  of  faith,  and  such  only  can  we  have  from 
Catholic  pens.  "  A  Catholic  must  be  a  Catholic  in  science,  his- 
tory, literature,  poUtics,  and  all  social  relations,  as  well  as  in  the 
profession  of  the  creed  and  che  reception  of  the  sacraments." 
But  how  is  he  going  to  bo  sucli  without  books  to  hifuse  this 
spirit  into  him^* 

"Tlie  American  people,"  writes  Dr.  Brownson,  "do  not  stand 
hi^'li  in  the  scale  of  literary  culture.  We  are  below  any  of  the 
European  nations.  We  have  strong  common  sense,  and  have 
made  some  valuable  inventions  and  discoveries  in  the  useful 
arts;  but  if  wo  seek  to  rise  to  the  liigher  walks  of  art,  science 
and  literature,  we  must  study  abroad,  for  we  have  no  schools, 
no  associations,  that  can  serve  our  purpose."  What  is  the  cause 
of  so  much  mediocrity,  it  may  be  asked  ?  Certainly  not  the 
want  of  natural  talent.   But  this  is  anew  country,  cursed,  it  may 


I  i 


*  To  my  knowledge,  the  following  arc  the  only  works  on  the  subject  in 
our  language  : 

(1).  "  Father  Hill's  Elements  of  riiilosopiiy." 

(3).  "Father  Lonagea'  Course  of  Philosophy." 

(3).  "Balnu's'  Fundamental  riiilosophy." 

The  first  is  not  comj)letc,  as  it  embraces  only  logic  and  mettipliysics.  It  is 
butriyht  to  add,  however,  tliat  the  author,  Rev.  W.  II.  Kill,  8.J.,  promises  the 
Beeond  part  at  an  early  day — thus  furnisliiiig  a  full  course. 

The  second  named  work  is  entirely  too  brief  to  be  of  much  vuliie.  Tlie  last 
is  in  two  volumes,  and  is  too  profound  to  be  recommended  as  u  text-book  for 
the  use  of  young  students. 


W 


!    f: 


478  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

bo  said,  with  a  multitude  of  puny  institutions,  mis-named  col- 
leges. There  are  so  many  sects  in  our  Republic,  and  each  sect 
has  so  many  colleges,  here  is  the  evil,  for  evil  it  is  I 

Catholics,  unhappily,  have  been  considerably  influenced  by 
sui'rounding  example,  and  the  result  is,  we  have  too  manj'  col- 
leges, some  of  which  scarcely  deserve  the  name  of  high  schools. 
These  smaller  ones  actually  stand  in  the  way  of  the  really  excel- 
lent institutions,  retarding  the  progress  of  the  latter,  loweriuL' 
the  honored  name  of  college.  In  such  a  state  of  things,  we  need 
not  look  for  higher  educational  results  until  that  gnat  mstitu- 
tion  of  the  future  shall  make  its  appearance — The  Catholic 
University  of  the  United  States. 


The  Coming  Catholic  UmvERsiTr. 

Accustomed  to  a  confusion  of  words,  many  people  regard  the 
terms  College  and  Unwersity  as  two  names  for  the  same  thing. 
This  is  a  great  mistake.  A  college,  correctly  speaking,  i.s  equiv- 
alent only  to  a  branch  or  part  of  a  university.  Its  object  is  to 
impart  the  highest  grade  of  instruction  in  letters  and  scienoe. 
A  university  is  an  institution  of  learning  in  which  the  whole 
round  of  letters,  arts,  and  sciences  is  taught  by  special  profes- 
sors for  each  branch,  which  confers  degrees  in  each  or  all;  and 
in  which  the  arts,  sciences,  law,  medicine,  and  theology  are 
taught  by  their  respective  faculties.  It  may  consist  of  an  ag- 
glomeration of  colleges  as  in  England,  or  of  a  sole  corporation, 
as  is  usually  the  case  on  the  Continent  of  Europe.* 

"There  is  not  to-day,  in  the  entire  country,"  writes  Bishop 
Becker,  "  a  single  institution,  Catholic,  Protestant,  or  nonde- 
script, entitled  to  the  name  of  tmiversity,  in  the  European  sense 
of  the  word."  The  time  has  come  for  Catholics  to  lead  the  wny 
— to  build  up  a  great  university.  Surely,  six  millions  of  Cath- 
olics can  afford  to  have  one  university.  Bishop  Becker  gives 
the  following  sound  reasons  for  the  establishment  of  such  an 
institution: 

(1)  On  the  ground  of  our  present  numbers  and  probable  in- 
crease; (2)  Because  it  is  as  much  our  duty  to  provide  for  the 
highest  as  it  is  for  elementary  education ;  (3)  Because  thereby  we 
chejk  that  loss  to  the  Church,  and  gain  to  the  ranks  of  infidelity, 
which  the  want  of  sound  scientific  instruction  and  the  plausi- 
bility of  pretentious  scientists,  has  occasioned  and  still  causes  ; 
(4)  Because  with  no  higher  culture  than  that  afforded  by  our 

*  Bishop  Becker  in  The  American  Catholic  Quarterly  Review, 


The  Comi7ig  Catholic  University.         479 

present  scattered,  imperfect,  superficial,  and  needy  colleges, 
we  cannot  fit  out  young  men  to  witlistand  at  all  points  the 
attacks  of  Buckle,  Huxley,  Darwin,  Mill,  etc.;  (5)  Because  our 
jjtiidents  need  the  stimulus,  and  our  professors  the  impetus  of 
the  university  system ;  (6)  Because  such  system  is  the  best  that 
the  wit  of  man  has  ever  devised ;  (7)  Because  its  existence  and 
infinencf  would  largely  diminish  that  sciolism  and  pretence 
which  are  our  educational  bane ;  (8)  Because  said  establishment 
has  been  solemnly  recommended  by  the  Bishops  of  our  country 
and  approved  by  the  Holy  See;  (9)  and  finally,  Because  Al- 
mighty God  loorJcs  by  means,  and  wo  are  bound  to  do  our  part 
in  employing  the  best  means  for  the  preservation  and  extension 
of  the  Faith."* 

The  Catholic  educational  system  of  the  United  States,  like  a 
great  structure,  requires  two  things  to  make  it  complete:  (1) 
That  the  Catholic  schools  obtain  their  just  share  of  the  education 
funds  in  each  State;  this  will  give  a  firm  foundation  to  the 
system.  (2)  The  Establishment  of  the  Catholic  University  will 
be  the  crowning  work — the  dome  of  the  grand  structure.  The 
colleges  would  still  retain  their  proper  rank  and  place.  Some 
would  serve  as  feeders  to  the  University,  others  as  institutions 
occupying  a  sphere  of  usefulness  psculiarly  their  own.  Heaven 
speed  the  day  when  this  ideal  shall  become  a  living  reality  1 


'  American  Catholic  Quarterly  Review, 


480  Catholiciiy  m  the  United  States. 


\i... 


'O 

a 

a 

.0 

n 

a 

3 

3 


a 

o 
o 


a 

u 

.2 

o 


.a 


a 
o 

-«^ 

a 
-a 
o 


0) 


O 

5 
n 
O 

a 
o 

e 

o. 

I 

a 
I 


4) 

a 

~  a 
a  a 

B« 
•  -  4) 

a  •- 

&:,5 


in 

W 
H 

H 

Q 
W 

H 


en 

W 

S 

^; 
y 

en 
Q 

< 

en 
W 
O 

w 

►J 
o 
u 


o 

H 


"SIOA 

JO  ox 

-Oid  JO  OM 


(7*  F^  5^  T-i  »-i         tH 


s^ 


0«5?.^       c',,-^-,0- 


papuno^j 


a. 


Hi  :  :o  : 
a  c '^   ,  _r 


.i.'^ 


.09 
:d 

'be''-'  A  a 


.0 


5  a'  ^ 


03 

So 


5  a  J'  00  E  a 


o.a; 


^f7 


a 
.  Ml 

t 

3 


S 1-1  o  ^  M  OS  01  f-'  ^  t-  TO  -^  —  0-.  — .  o  o  "r'  1  -  '•!  —  «  '-  00  o  a»  •N    ■  — 


^  ?  tf  fa;^  02 15  O  nJ  « i5  CQ  M  < 


a 
o)  a 


o 
o 


a 

Q 


■  a 

:a 

•en 


•  ^> 

■el 


.  o 

:'a. 

."3 
•cc 


-  ,*•  *:  "5 


w  a  0 


■s  a 
I-  a  _ 

5S  = 


U  s.5-3  - 


-.  >       --  «  w  3       a  ».  -^  -r  "„  cs  =  U( 


.     .  4) 

:  :a 
:  :ii 

■  $  u 


9> 

fcD 

o 


as 
sf  _ 
o  n 
1r'  =^ 

ops 

C 


a. 


i 


U?. 


at 


;  y;  £  S  V,  2  s  a 


C  s  —  "-   u  •.    -~  '.    r.  3 


3 
'■J 


-:i:^^>i/<H 


a,^—  or:;'"--. 


"=  «;  a  u  <-:  o  2  «  -s  "■  *-■  - 

w  !/- 1>  X  7i  O  f'.  X  aj  tC  35  X 


■a  2  rt  •- 


es. 

gS22o=oc= 


—  «  O  ® 


•   t 


3  a; 


-K' 


;^*'^i-s<;  V 


•;  (5)     . 

~^> 
ait- go 

oooc  / 


:  :'» 

■Jz 


.     '  .    .  ao 

I'd  :-;  5 

-  —  ^  ^  ^  s  '^  '^ 

•~  —  >  .»'  *j  "a  *i  a  3 


S 


o 
''J  be 

O   4) 


1,  . 

a  ; 

o  : 

w  : 


bf  H  C3  S 

i  —  —  wS  »^.-r 

ill  gS?;  5,55^1 
iix/.  Til-la./.* 


Catholic  Colleges  and  Seminaries.         481 


r-t  -T*  r-  t-n-l  I- CI-*         t-t         71  (J#  ,-i  r-.  r-i  i-t         »-l 


r^  »-i  W  !-• 


'■v'i 


73 


c  — 
a 
> 


-  B-*  :  -a 
.  a  a  -  •   -53  _   . 

jt  ?•  s;  2i "  -  2  -  _' 

a      ►^*'^,  f^  ^  ■"  "" 

J3  n  _•  C—*       •^-  —  -' 
-?!-''■?  =•  C   -•    -• 


T.C  !ir  a 


Q 

«■ 

Sec 
a    , 

!^  a 


o  : 

Ha 

Ho 


.i'-a 


i-  w    •  ec  *o 


.,..23.^^- 

>  >  >   >     ,>«3>>.>>>>>>>> 

0".  X  —  O  —  I-  T  —  ~  3^  5  '^  =3  "-■  ~  '*  =6 1^ 
c  §  I-  1-  ir;  -^  X  I-  ^  .-  5  I  -  -^  I-  .-  ..-:  -j  -^ 


■-^o 


cx 


C^3 


a 


>sr^ 


e  a  =s 

o  5,-.  a 


36 1. 


a  a  — 

,2  la 


US' 

5  = 
£2 


-"  j^'a 


t-^  .3; 


;2  d'M 


-  J3   a  C   I.   a  <1J   a   ; 


a  r;  o  1^5  - 
J  a  u  c 


;;HiE-iCQ^p;;jx'/iS(£csseHX 


f-  K  "1. 


a 

a 

j  tic  . 

:J3 


e 
tta 


■  o 

■  tc 

I'd 


ti) 


.2 -a 

■as 

a  c 

.5 -a 
o  o 

c 


>  >■  ^  ^  > 


=  i>  a 


a)  F  a 
*  a 

c  * 


c  .= .     =  c  a 


:.a  03  3 

:  a  S  i» 


1) 


^2  >. 


cv5-H^i.i 


■- ^j  a  =  u  i< 
-—  «  a  »^  a  7v 


t£  '   .0 ' ,  •■    «  cB     M  —  V  t.  e    -  V  —  -A.  ^  <-> 


X-^  ' 


«5 


3 

a 

a2 
Ox 


afc 
a  a 


^t-  a'it^. 


C«xS 


O  a  t" 


o 
al'-1:i:= 


?ri: 


Qv£rr>' 


;^j3ja  -^  5  •/,      i.a  -,.-5  -:;  p"^  u^  u  ■/. 


tt. 


o  1)  a  -J 


w  -i-  r''  '       i-  '-'  O   ,  — 

"I.l  o 

Cub 
c  -a 


c  7 e ex  5^^  = 


i:=-  r':f5 


;a 


*-*^t.^^,a^^  rt*j^*i  ^^.^jjCw 


-#-■'/-   f^  f^!  "C  -   ,  r 


i5?-=£r-r<^  •--.-■• 


T.  5t<  X  X  <  Vj.  03 '_  x  X  X  K  /.  o  X  X  K 1-3  X  X  C5  X ;?  O  X  to  33  -H  C  X  U  3  X  X  X  i^^J.n 


a 

o 


"  I    I  I 


a 

•a 

a 
o 
u 


.3 

5. 


:  a        *- 


1 

JiJi   ,    . 

i 

11 

ij-;*- 


BOOK   V. 


I '  h 


CHAPTER  I. 


THE   CATHOLIC    LITERATUEE   OF   THE   tTNITED    STATES. 

"  Literature  is  tho  ornament  and  glory  of  the  Chnrch.    I  faave  always  remarked  that 
It  knits  its  cultivatorB  more  firmly  to  the  dogmaa  of  our  Faith."— Pope  Leo  X. 

CATHOI.TCITV  THE  GUARDIAN  '^  ^"  LETTERS — THE  FATHERS  OF  THE 
CUURCH— THE  MONKS— THE  CHURCH  AND  POETRY  —  THE  FIUST 
HYMN  OP  CHRISTIANITY— OTHERS— LITEHATURE  AND  TRUTH— ENG- 
LISH HISTORY  AN  ENGINE  OF  CALUMNY  —  COBBETT'S  SAYING — 
LITERATURE  AND  ITS  DIVISIONS— THE  MISSIONARY  PERIOD  —  VARI- 
OUS EARLY  WORKS— AN  EARLY  CATHOLIC  POEM — THAYER— CARROLL 
— DK  CREVECCEUR — ROBIN — CAREY. 


CATHOLICITY    AND    LITERATLTJE. 


ii 


^'  To  the  Catholic  Church,"  says  Chateaubriand,  "  we 
owe  the  revival  of  the  arts,  sciences,  and  of  literature."*  For 
over  fifteen  hundred  years  she  has  been  the  guardian  of 
literature,  the  mother  of  Christian  letters.  Religion  is  not 
opposed  to  literature  as  the  expression  of  the  true,  the 
good,  and  the  beautiful.  It  is  only  when  it  becomes  the 
veliiele  of  falsehood  and  immorality  that  she  condemns  it. 
One  of  the  greatest  intellects  within  the  gift  of  humanity, 
and  one  of  the  most  brilliant  ornaments  of  religion,  rose  to 
saintship  in  the  path  of  literary  pursuits.  Literature  was 
the  natural  mould  in  which  St.  Augustine  was  stampcd.f 

*  "  Genino  of  Christianity." 

t  "Philosophy  of  Literature,"  by  Brother  Azarias. 

(483) 


(  ! 


1^ 

111; 


t'5 


i] 


rtwn 


k  .i^iMM 


■i'< 


484 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


Who  v^re  the  great  writers  of  the  first  ages  hut  tho 
Fathers  and  Doctors  of  the  Church — St.  Augustine,  St. 
Jerome,  St.  Ambrose,  St.  Basil,  St.  Gregory,  St.  Crvsostom 
St.  Cohimba,  the  Venerable  Bede,  and  others.  Durinn;  tlie 
period  of  the  barbarian  invasions  tRe  lamp  of  literature 
shone  brightly  in  the  monasteries.  "  The  light  and  life 
which  these  holy  abodes  contained,"  says  Balmes,  "  tended 
to  enlighten  and  fertilize  the  chaos  of  the  world."* 

St.  Columba,  prince,  monk,  and  poet,  is  said  to  have  tran- 
scribed with  his  own  hand  three  hundred  copies  of  tlie 
Gospel.  The  saintly  old  monk  Caedmon  is  the  Father  of 
English  poetry.  He  sang  of  the  Creation  and  the  Fall  of 
our  first  Parents,  a  thousand  years  before  Milton.  What 
would  we  know  of  the  early  history  of  England  without 
Bede's  "  Ecclesiastical  History  "  and  the "  Saxon  Chronicle" 
— the  production  of  monks  ?  Pope  Gregory  sent  over  the 
books  which  formed  the  first  library  that  England  ever 
possessed.  This  was  in  601. f  As  to  Ireland,  her  early 
and  later  stock  of  Christian  literature,  printed  and  in  manu- 
script, to  use  the  words  of  Matthew  Arnold,  "  is  truly  vast.":}: 
She  possesses  the  oldest  manuscript  works  of  any  nation  in 
Europe. 

♦  "European  Civilization." 

t  Montalembert :  "  Monks  of  the  West,"  Vol.  III.  Some  of  these 
precious  MS.  works  still  existed  in  the  time  of  Henry  VIII.  In 
the  library  of  Corpus  Christi  College,  Cambridge,  a  Latin  MS. 
of  the  four  Evangelists  is  preserved.  According  to  tradition, 
this  is  the  copy  brought  over  by  St.  Augustine  in  596.  Wliat 
return  has  England  made  to  Rome  ?  The  nation  that  received 
its  first  library  from  Rome,  now  vainly  tries  to  convince  tlie 
world  that  Rome  is  the  head-centre  of  "ignorance  and  super- 
stition."    Bad  children  always  blame  their  mother. 


+  ii 


The  Study  of  Celtic  Literature."  The  paper  and  vellum  MS. 
books  in  the  libraries  of  Trinity  College,  Dublin,  and  the  Royal 
Irish  Academy  would  alone  fill  about  60,000  quarto  pages.  These 
are  all  in  the  Irish  language — the  remains,  or  fragments  of  a 
once  noble  literature. 

How  little  the   conceited,   ill-bred  sciolists  of  our  day  who 
sneer  at  the  "  ignorant  Irish,"  know  of  those  countless  pages! 


Catholic  Lite7'ature  of  the  United  States.    485 

When  we  come  down  to  tlie  middle  ages,  what  are  the 
grand  figures  wo  meet  in  the  hterary  world  ? 

The  habit  of  the  monk  at  once  reappears.  We  behold  in 
tbose  champions  of  Catholicity  the  intellectual  giants  of  the 
Ages  of  Faith — St.  Thomas  Aquinas,  St.  Jiernard,  St. 
Aiiselm,  Duns  Scotus,  and  St.  Bonaventure.  Who  wrote 
that  masterpiece  of  spiritual  literature,  "  The  Imitation  of 
Clirist ''  \     A'Kempis — a  monk. 

The  Catholic  Church  is  the  mother  of  Christian  poetry. 
Her  song  ceases  not.  It  continues  in  an  unbroken  strain. 
It  began  at  the  very  outset  in  the  sublime  p-ong  of  the  Most 
Hcly  Virgin,  the  mother  of  its  Divine  Founder,  and  it  has 
cctiitinued  ever  since.  The  lirst  Catholic  poem  was  the 
Magnijicat  I  its  author,  the  most  Holy  Mary.  Then,  we 
liave  those  matchless,  those  beautiful  productions,  which 
seem  to  have  been  composed  in  Heaven,  though  they  were 
Mi'itten  on  earth — the  Gloria  in  Excehis^  the  Te  Deum, 
the  Vcni  Creator  Sjyiritus,  the  Jesus  IJulcis  Menioria,  the 
Dies  Irac,  the  Stabat  Mater^  and  the  Ave  Maris  Stella. 
All  the  great  poets  were  either  Catholics,  or  derived  their 
inspiration  from  Catholic  sources.  Dante,  Fetrafch,  Chaucer, 
Shakespeare,  Dunl)ar,  Tasso,  Calderon,  Vega,  Camoens, 
Racine,  Dryden,  Pope,  and  Moore  were  Catholics. 

Ill  short,  between  truth  and  literature,  between  the 
true  religion  and  true  literature,  there  is  an  essential  connec- 
tion. Without  the  "  moral  tint "  no  work  can  bear  upon 
it  the  seal  of  immortality.  The  productions  of  all  illustrious 
authors  have  become  more  grand,  and  pure,  and  sublime  as 
the  writers  have  become  more  religious.  Christian  simplicity 
is  not  at  all  opposed  to  thorough  and  profound  erudition. 
(jod  is  goodness  and  simplicity  itself,  yet  He  knows  all 
things.  Learning  and  literature  are  necessary,  even  for  the 
defence  of  the  Church.  "  Pious  simplicity,''  wrote  the 
!j;reat  old  St.  Jerome,  "  may  edify  the  Church ;  but  it  cannot 
prevent  those  who  by  ])erverse  doctrine  wouhl  undermine 
the  temple  of  God."  ' 

<^>nc  further  remark,  and  we  shall  reach  our  prrtper  sub. 


I!  'iHBi' 


!,': 


486  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

ject.  For  three  hundred  years  after  the  so-called  Refor- 
mation the  literature  of  our  language  was  almost  wholly  Prot- 
estant. History,  especially,  was  made  an  engine  of  attack 
on  Catholicity.  To  borrow  the  words  of  the  Count  de 
Maistre,  it  was  a  conspiracy  against  truth.  "  What  has  not 
lying  England  dared  in  history  ? "  writes  the  learned  Jesuit 
Father  C.  H.  Stonestreet.  "  Her  Gibbons,  her  Humes,  and 
Smolletts  wrote  romances  in  her  honor,  and  called  them 
histories.''*  In  the  Protestant  historical  works  of  the  Eng- 
lish language,  "W  illiam  Cobbett  has  bluntly,  but  truly  said 
*'  There  are  more  lies  than  in  the  books  written  in  all  other 
languages  put  together." 

Indeed,  it  may  be  safely  added,  that  the  historical  Devil 
himself  could  scarcely  sui-pass  some  of  these  authors  in  their 
slanderous  malignity  whenever  they  had  occasion  to  refer  to 
Catholicity. 

This  shows  the  necessity  of  prudence  and  judgment  in  the 
selection  of  works  to  read,  especially  historical  works.  There 
is  wisdom  in  being  choice,  very  choice  in  our  books.  It  also 
points  out  the  great  importance  of  an  English  literature 
distinctively  Catholic.  What  have  we  done  to  create  such 
a  literature  in  the  United  States  \  The  answer  to  this  ques- 
tion will  be  found  in  the  following  chapters. 


' 


I 


LITERATUKE — DIVISIOISrS    OF   THE    SUBJECT. 

Everything  written  or  printed  is  not  literature.  Literature 
may  be  said  to  embrace  all  compositions  except  those  on  the 
positive  sciences.  It  is  that  embodiment  of  human  thought 
and  imagination  contained  in  poetry,  history,  biography, 
fiction,  travels,  essays,  the  drama,  oratory,  criticism,  and 
popular  religious  and  scientific  works.  The  distinctive  feat- 
ure of  literature  is  that  it  addresses  all  men.  It  speaks  to 
every  heart.  It  "  appeals  to  the  sentiments  in  their  widest 
range,  from  the  sphere  of  simple  delight,  such  as  is  afforded 
by  the  fable,  the  nursery  tale,  or  the  popular  scientific  treat- 

*  "The  Church  the  Guardian  of  Letters."— ^Ae  Metropolitan, 
Vol.  I. 


Catholic  Literature  in  the  United  States,    487 

ise,  through  all  phases  of  passion  to  the  intense  strain  of 
terror  or  pity  inspired  by  tragedy.  It  enlists  the  reader's  at- 
tention ;  it  moves  him  to  tears  ;  it  excites  him  to  mirth  and 
laughter;  and  often  while  professing  only  to  please,  it  initi- 
ates him  into  all  the  secrets  of  th"  ^eart.  *  *  *  The  funda- 
mental principle  of  all  literature  is  that  a  common  humanity 
underlies  our  individual  personalities.  What  affects  one,  has 
power,  as  a  rule,  to  affect  all.  For  each  of  us  is  it  true  that 
he  is  a  stranger  to  nothing  human.''* 

For  convenience,  we  shall  divide  our  sketch  of  the  Catho- 
lic Literature  of  the  United  States  into  three  periods ;  the 
first,  or  missionary  period  extends  from  the  earliest  times  to 
the  close  of  the  eighteenth  century  ;  the  second  comprises 
the  first  half  of  the  nineteenth  century  ;  and  the  third  covers 
from  that  to  the  Centennial  Year.  It  is,  perhaps,  well  to  re- 
nark  that  these  chapters  are  historical  rather  than  critical. 

the  missionauy  period  of  amekicajf  catholic  literature. 

(a.d.  1593—1800.) 

The  reader  who  has  carefully  perused  the  foregoing  pages 
need  not  be  told  what  this  period  was  for  English-speaking 
Catholics  in  America.  "  The  oppressed  state  of  the  Catho- 
lics," writes  J.  G.  Shea,  "  had  prevented  the  reprint  of  our 
Bible  and  other  necessary  books,  so  much  so  that  the  clergy 
were  often  compelled  to  copy  even  the  Missal,  and  the  laity 
any  book  which  they  wished  to  possess.  Many  old  Catho- 
lic families  still  retain  manuscript  copies  of  standard  works 
made  about  that  tirae."t  There  was  no  original  Catholic 
work  published  in  oar  language  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic 
until  after  the  Revolution.  Yet,  this  period  produced  much 
that  is  valuable  in  literature.  It  had  its  poetry,  history, 
travels,  and  works  on  religious  controversy  written  by  Catho- 
lics. Father  Francis  Pareja  composed  his  catechism  in  the 
dialect  of  the  Yamassees,  the  first  work  in  any  of  our  Indian 

*  "  A  Philosophy  of  Literature,"  by  B.  A.  M. 
t  The  Metropolitan,  Vol  II. 


i'lil  ■'' 


£„"■■■    ■    k^^^ 

K 

"^"1 

■1 

'MH 

iifi;:J*/-  iT!!!'?^P 

la'j^Li- 1.'    i 

isi'liiL  i''i- ^ 

ilSiiii' 

Jjyj|jil||J[|| 

■flHitii 

488  Catholicity  in  the   United  States. 


languages  that  issued  from  the  press,  one  hundred  and 
eighty-three  years  before  the  Dedaration  of  Iiidependciicu 
was  signed,  and  fourteen  years  Ijcfore  the  English  Lad  made 
their  tirst  pernument  settlement  on  the  coast  of  America.* 
"  When  the  Pilgrims  were  yet  in  Holland,  a  Peruvian  wrote 
in  Florida  the  first  of  its  historical  books,  lllloa,  the  iirct  Span- 
ish  Governor  of  Louisiana,  is  a  well-known  name  in  litera- 
ture. Lescarbot  on  the  coast  of  Mainr ,  composed  his  '  Muses 
de  laNouvelle  France' ;  Charlevoix  and  Lalitau  wrote  tlieii' 
histories  on  the  banks  of  the  St.  Lawrence  ;  there  too,  and 
on  the  shores  of  Lake  Huron,  Lallemant,  Chatulain,  and  Ka- 
gueneau  wrote  their  ascetical  works  which  France  wel- 
comed with  joy  ;  Jogues  in  the  office  of  the  Dutch  com- 
mandant at  Albany,  wrote  in  Latin  of  classic  purity  tlie 
narrative  of  his  sufferings,  which  Kome  and  Austria  reprint- 
ed at  lengtli."t 

Another  mine  of  historical  wealth  belonging  to  this 
period  is  the  rare  collection  known  as  the '*  Jesuit  liela- 
tions.''  While  these  were  chiefly  written  in  Canada  and  relate 
more  immediately  to  that  country,  still  they  are  not  with- 
out great  interest  to  the  American  reader.  We  could  know 
but  little  of  the  Indian  missions  in  New  York,  Maine,  and 
the  North-west  were  it  not  for  such  precious  annals.  They 
were  all  written  by  the  Jesuit  Fathers,  cover  periods  extend- 
ingfrom  1611  to  1G26,  and  from  1632  to  1679,  and  were 
])ubli8hed  annually  at  Paris.     "  Though  the  production  of 


*  "  History  of  the  Catholic  Missions."  Pareja's  work  was  en- 
titled, "  Abridgment  of  the  Christian  Doctrine."  The  old  Fran- 
ciscan Convent,  Florida,  in  which  this  work  was  .written,  isno^^ 
a  United  States  barracks  ! 

t  The  Metroj)olitan,  Vol.  II.  The  chief  works  written  by  these 
authors  were  : 

"Luis  de  Ore  Historia  de  los  Martires  de  Florida,  1604"; 
UUoa,  "  Historical  Relation  of  a  Voyage  to  South  Ainericu— Noti- 
cias  Americanos  "  ;  Lescarbot,  "Muses  de  la  Nouvolle  France, 
1015"  ;  Charlevoix,  "  Hi.stoire  de  la  Nouvclle  France,  1741"; 
Lafitau,  "  Moeurs  des  Sauvages,"  and  other  works. 


wrritten  by  these 


CatJiolic  Literature  of  the  United  States.    489 

men  of  scliolastie  training,"  siiys  Friiiici.s  Parktnaii,  "  tliey 
arc  exceedingly  simple  in  style  as  might  be  exi)eeted  of  nar- 
ratives written  in  Indian  lodges  or  rude  mission-houses  iu 
the  forest  amid  annoyances  and  interruptions  of  all  kinds. 
*  *  *  With  regard  to  the  condition  and  character  of 
the  primitive  inliabitants  of  North  America,  it  is  impossible 
to  exaggerate  their  value  as  an  authority.  They  hold  a  high 
place  as  authentic  and  trustworthy  historical  documents. 
The  entire  series  was  republished,  in  1858,  by  the  Canadian 
government  in  three  large  octavo  volumes."* 

The  "Narrative  of  a  Voyage  to  Maryland"  {Relatio 
Ithiens  in  Marylandlani)  by  Father  Andrew  White,  S.J., 
is  another  little  work  of  great  value  and  interest.  It  relates 
to  the  early  missions  and  settlement  of  Maryland,  and  ex- 
tends from  lG85to  1G77.  The  manuscript  of  this  work  was 
discovered  during  the  present  century,  in  Rome.  About 
the  year  1832,  the  He  v.  William  McSherry,  S.J.,  found  in 
the  archives  of  the  "  Doinus  Professa "  of  the  Society  of 
Jesus  the  originals  of  the  manuscripts.  These  he  carefully 
copied,  and  placed  the  copies  in  the  library  of  (reorgetown 
College.  The  facts  in  this  work  have  been  used  to  advantage 
bv  various  writers,  more  especially  by  McSherry  in  his  "  His- 
tory of  Maryland."  It  is  frequently  quoted  in  the  first 
chapters  of  the  present  volume.  The  original  was  in  Latin. 
A  well-edited  edition  was  recently  published  in  Baltimore 
in  Latin  and  English,  the  portion  in  the  former  language 
being  given  verhatim,  literatim,  et  punctuatim,  as  in  the 
original. 

Perhaps  the  earliest  piece  of  American  Catholic  ])oetry  in 
our  language  is  the  poem  of  Rev.  Father  Lewis,  S.J., 
written  on  his  "  Journey  from  Patapsco  to  Annapolis," 
April  4th,  1750.  The  openhig  stanzas  remind  us  of  the 
first  lines  of  the  famous  "  Canterbury  Tales." 


*  "The  Jesuits  in  North  America.'  Large  extracts  from  nn 
old  "  Relation  "  of  1650  may  be  seen  in  Spalding's  Miscellanea, 
'■r'atholic  Mispions  of  the  North-west." 


.   'i      \ 


li.:jiilii,:: 


/|90  Catholicity  in  the   United  States. 


"At  loDf^th  the  wintry  horrors  disappour, 

And  April  views  with  wniihj.s  the  infjint  year; 

Till)  gratoful  i;urth  Ironi  frosty  chains  unbound, 

Pours  out  its  vernal  treasures  all  around, 

Her  face  bedeck'd  with  grass,  with  buds  the  trees  are  crowned. 

In  this  soft  season,  ere  the  dawn  of  day, 

I  mount  my  liorse,  and  lonely  take  my  way." 

*>)<>*<  *  *  *  « 

"Through  sylvan  scones  my  journey  I  pursue, 
Ton  thousand  beauties  rising  to  my  view; 
Which  kindle  in  my  breast  poetic  tlame. 
And  bid  me  my  Creator's  praise  proclaim." 

The  following  lines  at  once  suggest  a  resemblance  to 
Goldsmith's  "  Deserted  Village,"  though  written  nearly  a 
quarter  of  a  century  before  that  matchless  ]>oeni : 

"Safe  in  yon  cottage  dwells  the  monarch-swain, 
His  subject  flocks,  close-grazing,  hide  the  plain. 
For  him  they  live — and  die  to  uphold  his  roign. 
Yiands  unbought  his  well-tilled  lands  afford, 
And  smiling  plenty  waits  upon  his  board; 
Health  vShines  with  sprightly  beams  around  his  head, 
And  sleep  with  downy  wings  o'ershades  his  bed: 
His  sons  robust  his  daily  labor  share. 
Patient  of  toil,  companions  of  his  care; 
And  all  their  toils  with  sweet  success  are  crowned, 
In  graceful  ranks  their  trees  adorn  the  ground; 
The  peach,  the  plum,  the  apple  here  are  found." 

His  triplet  on  the  setting  sun  is  quite  beautiful : 

"And  now  I  view  but  hah  too  flaming  sphere, 
Now  one  faint  glimmer  siioot  •  along  the  air, 
And  all  his  golden  glorio^  Jlsappear!  " 

This  ])oem,  as  given  in  The  Metropolitan^  Vol.  IV., 
contains  one  hundred  and  thirty-four  lines.  The  revered 
author  came  to  this  country  in  1749,  and  was  first  stationed 
at  Bohemia,  in  Maryland.  He  was  Superior  of  all  the 
missions  when  the  Jesuits  were  suppressed.  It  was  to  him 
that  the  venerable  Bishop  Challoner  addressed  the  l)rief  of 
Clement  XIV.     A  considerable  number  of  bis  sermons  are 


e  crowned. 


Catholic  Literature  in  the  United  States,   491 

vet  in  iTiiUUKserlpt,  in  tlio  IMn'ary  of  (ieor<^oto\vn  Collo'^o, 
D.  (J.  Father  Lewis  died,  much  regretted,  in  the  s*[)ring  of 
1788. 

The  most  note<l  Catholic  writer  immediately  hefore  tho 
Hevolution  was  the  learned  ('haklks  (\vrkoll  of  Carrollton. 
Some  account  of  hi^  newspaper  discussions  and  style  of 
writing  may  be  foui-a  in  the  sketch  of  his  own  life,  on 
pa^'e  Wl.  The  only  published  work  of  the  "  last  of  the  sign- 
ers" is  his  valuable  "Journal,"  printed  in  Baltimore  some 
rime  after  his  death. 

Our  Catholic  literature,  subsequent  to  the  Revolution, 
hen^an  in  controversy,  and  to  controversy  it  was  long  con- 
fined. The  Rev.  Joun  Tuaykk  laid  the  foundation  of  our 
liomo  literature  in  the  account  of  his  conversion,  published 
;il)out  1783,  and  frequently  reprinted.  As  a  monument  of 
uur  history,  no  less  than  a  singular  instance  of  God's  provi- 
dence, it  is  worthy  of  being  again  given  to  the  public,  for 
his  style  is  manly,  sincere,  and  convincing.* 

About  the  same  time.  He  v.  John  Caukoll  (afterwards 
Archl)ishop)  found  it  necessary  to  enter  the  field  of  con- 
troversv,  and  wrote  a  little  work  entitled  "  An  Address  to 
the  Roman  Catholics  of  the  United  States,  by  a  (Jatholio 
Clergyman"  (Annapolis,  1784).  This  was  a  reply  to  a 
work  of  his  relative,  Wharton,  who  had  joined  the  Episco- 
piilians,  and  now  attacked  the  Catholic  doctrine.  This 
reply  is  an  admirable  defence,  worthy  of  our  first  prelate, 
in  style  and  treatment. f 

It  was  an  able  and  triumphant  vindi(vation  of  the  Catho- 
lic Church  and  her  doctrines,  and  one  of  the  very  best  early 
contributions  to  American  Catholic  literature. 

When  Rev.  John  Thayer  returned  to  Boston,  in  1790,  as 
a  Catholic  priest,  controversies  almost  immediately  ensued. 
The  chief  one  was  "Controversy  between  Rev.  John  Thayer, 
Catholic  Missionary  of  Boston,  and  the  Rev.  George  Leslie, 
Pastor  of  a  Church  in  Washington,  N.  H."  (1790). 


*  J.  G.  Shea,  in  The  yMropolUn.,,  Vol.  II. 


t  Ibid. 


492  CatJiolicity  in  the   United  States. 


mLi 


"  Th3  Let^ors  from  an  American  Farmer,"  hj  Hector  Sr. 
John  de  Ckeveccefr,  iirst  appeared  in  1781.  De  Crevo- 
ca3nr  was  a  native  of  Xormandy,  spent  the  greater  part  of 
his  life  in  America,  and  immediately  after  the  lievohition 
was  appointed  French  Consul  at  New  York.  In  his  book- 
he  "  shows  himself,"  writes  De  Courcy,  "  an  adherent  of 
the  pliilosophic  school,  and  profoundly  indifferent  to  relirr. 
ion.  lie  advances  this  religions  indifference  as  the  strikino 
point  of  the  American  character,  and  pleasantly  details  its 
advantages.  Such  were  the  sentiments  of  the  president  ot 
the  trustees  of  the  ii'.'st  Catholic  church  in  New  York."* 

The  Abbe  Robin's  "  New  Travels  through  North  Amori 
ca,"  was  given  to  the  world  in  1783.  It  "  exhibits  the  liistorv 
of  the  victorious  campaign  of  the  allied  armies  undci 
General  Washington  and  the  Count  de  Rochambeau  in  the 
year  1781 ;  and  is  interspersed  with  political  and  pliiloso])]ii('al 
observations  upon  the  temper,  genius,  and  customs  of  the 
Americans."  The  Abbe  Robin  was  one  of  the  chaplains  to 
the  French  army  in  America. 

The  ablest  poem  written  by  a  Catholic  during  this  early 
period  was  Matthew  Gakey's  "  Plagi-scurriliad,"  a  Iliuli- 
brastic  poem.  F'ather  Finotti,  in  his"  Bibliographia  Catholi- 
ca  Americana,"  calls  it  a  "  splendid  satire."  Even  then,  there 
was  a  bad  feeling  against  foreigners,  and  none  took  more 
occasions  to  exhibit  it  than  a  certain  Colonel  Oswald,  in  his 
Gazetteer.  Carey  was  not  pleased,  and  the  result  was  the 
poem.  '  •  Our  disputes,*"  he  writes  in  the  preface,  "  orig- 
inated from  some  illiberal  remarks  written  in  his  paper 
against  new-comers.  As  a  new-comer,  I  thought  myself 
called  upon  to  answer  them,  which  I  did  on  November  9th, 
1785,  under  the  signature  of  A  Citizen  of  the  Woin.n. 
"The  preface,"  says  Father  Finotti,  "plainly  hints  also  at 
the  probability  of  a  personal  encounter." 

Such  are  the  principal  facts,  authors,  and  works  belong- 
ing to  the  ^lissionary  Period  of  American  Catholic  Litera- 
ture. 


+  "Thfl  Catholic'  rimrrh  in  i\\p  T'nite  '  i^tatps." 


CHAPTER  II. 


,voi*ks  helong- 
atliolic  Litent- 


AMERICIJN   CATHOLIC    LITERATURE   DURING  THE  FIRST  HALF  OF 
THE   NINETEENTH   CENTURY. 

(a.D.    1800    TO    1850.) 

HISTORTCAIi  WUITERS— CAUET — PISE— FREDET— MC9HERRY — BOGKAPHI- 
CAl  WRITERS — CAMPBELL— BRENT— MOONEY — BOTTA — POETS — SHEA 
—CANNON — MRS .  8ET0N— WALSU — RELIQ  ION — O  ALLITZIN  —  ENG  LAND 
— K0HLM.\N. 

TiiR  Catholic  Literature  of  this  period  is  very  respectable 
both  in  quality  and  quantity.  Bishop  England,  Matthew 
Carey,  Robert  Walsh,  Rev.  Prince  Gallitzin,  Rev.  Dr.  Pise, 
and  James  McSherry  were  the  principal  writers  by  whom 
it  was  enriched. 

We  shall  first  glance  at  the  department  of  History.  Here 
we  find  the  names  of  Carey,  Pise,  Fredet,  McSherry,  B.  U. 
Campbell,  Botta,  and  Mooney. 

The  name  of  Matthew  Carey  is  very  distinguished  in 
the  literary  history  of  the  United  States.  He  was  born  in 
Dublin,  Ireland,  in  1760,  and  became  a  printer.  For  "A 
Letter  to  the  Catholics  of  Ireland,"  he  was  persecuted  by  the 
English  authorities,  and  fled  to  Paris,  where  he  was  be- 
friended by  Dr.  Franklin.  Mr.  Carey  came  to  Philadel- 
phia in  1784.  During  the  following  year  he  started  the 
Pennsylvania  Herald ;  and  in  1793  he  founded  the  Hi- 
bernian Society  in  behalf  of  Irish  emigrants.  In  1790,  he 
issued  the  first  Catholic  Bible  published  in  the  United 
States,  and  at  one  time  was  the  largest  bookseller  in  the 
country. 

lie  wielded  a  powerful  pen.  He  touched  no  subject  that 
he  fh'd  not  treat  with  ability.  As  a  writer  on  political  econ- 
omy he  stood  in  the  fiont  rank.     In  discussion,  few  were 

(4Q3) 


n 


vJK 


494  Catholicity  in  tJie  United  States. 


i 


his  equals ;  none  snrpaased  him.  "  He  came  in  collision," 
writes  Rev.  J.  M.  Finotti,  "  with  the  famous  liybrid,  Wil- 
liam Cobbett,  but  conquered  liim." 

His  chief  historical  work  is  "Yindicioe  Hibemicoe ;  or 
Ireland  Vindicated."  "  In  1817,"  says  a  late  writer,  "  the 
agitation  of  Catholic  Emancipation  urged  Carey  to  the  prose- 
cution of  a  design  which  he  had  long  had  in  contempla- 
tion. He  set  to  work  to  prepare  an  account  of  his  native 
country,  which  should  expose  the  errors  and  misstatements 
of  English  historians."     This  work  was  a  great  success. 

Mr.  Carey,  for  a  time,  took  part  in  the  Ilogan  schism, 
hut  becoming  disgusted,  he  left  the  apostate  to  his  fate.  He 
died  in  1839,  attended  in  his  last  moments  by  his  intimate 
friend,  Very  Ttes'.  Dr.  Moriarty,  O.S.A. 

Matthew  Carey  "has  given  more  time,  money,  and  labor 
to  the  public,"  wi-ote  Joseph  Reed,  "  than  any  man  I  am 
acquainted  with,  and  in  truth,  he  founded  in  Philadelphia  a 
school  of  public  spirit."  "  He  was,"  says  Father  Finotti, 
"  upright,  sincere,  and  charitable.  With  him  tww  was  not 
money,  but  meriV 

Chakles  Constantine  Pise,  D.D.,  was  born  at  Annapolis, 
Maryland,  in  1802.  He  graduated  at  Georgetown  College, 
made  his  theological  studies  at  Rome,  and  Mount  St.  Mary's, 
Emmittsburg,  at  which  latter  place  he  was  ordained  in  1825. 
He  was  attached  to  various  churches  in  Baltimore,  Waslt- 
ington.  New  York,  and  Brooklyn.  He  died  in  1800,  while 
pastor  of  St.  Charles  Borromeo's  church,  in  Brooklyn.  T)r. 
Pise  was  the  only  Catholic  priest  that  ever  held  the  office 
of  Chaplain  to  the  United  States  Senate. 

He  was  an  excellent  scholar,  and  gifted  writer,  whose  pen 
enriched  many  departments  of  literature.  He  was  the 
pioneer — the  founder,  it  may  be  said,  of  Catholic  fiction  in 
this  country.  His  *'  Father  Rowland  "  is  a  beautiful  talc, 
being,  perhaps,  his  best  effort.  His  "  History  of  the 
Church  from  its  Establishment  to  the  Reformation,"  in  five 
volumes,  is  a  valuable  work,  but  it  is  defective  in  method. 
"  St.  Ignatius  and  his  First  Companions  "  is  a  production  of 


Catholic  Literature  of  Nineteenth  Century.  495 

iiiueli  merit.  As  a  poet,  Rev.  Dr.  Pise  holds,  perhaps,  the 
tiist  place  among  the  Catholic  writers  of  this  period.  His 
chief  poems  were :  "  The  Acts  of  the  Apostles  done  into 
]]lank  Verse,"  and  "  Pleasm-es  of  Religion,  and  other 
Poems."  The  following  stanzas  on  "  First  Communion," 
give  some  idea  of  his  ability  in  combining  simplicity, 
unction,  and  fine  poetic  grace : 

"  He  comes  to  rest  within  my  heart 
As  meek  as  infancy: 
Oh,  what  shall  ever  tear  apart 
This  loving  (ifuest  from  me ! 

"  As  on  the  softly-blooming  flowers 
The  dews  descend  at  even, 
So  grace  upon  my  heart  in  showers 
Descends  from  holy  Heaven. 

"  And  as  the  flowerlet  bathed  in  dew, 
Breathes  odors  from  its  breast. 
So  shall  my  favored  bosom  too 
Breathe  fervor  to  my  Guest." 

Peter  Feedet,  D.D.,  was  bom  in  France  in  1801,  en- 
tered the  Society  of  St.  Siilpice,  and  came  to  America  in 
1831.  From  this  till  his  death  in  185C,  he  was  professor  of 
theology,  holy  Scripture  and  history,  in  St.  Mary's  College, 
Baltimore.  His  "  Ancient  History  "  and  "  Modern  History" 
are  certainly,  up  to  this  time,  the  best  Catholic  text-books 
un  general  history  in  our  language.  Yet,  the  "  Modern 
History"  is  susceptible  of  much  improvement.  It  does  not 
attach  sufficient  importance  to  the  intluence  of  Cathol 


ty 


<»n  the  progress  of  civilization,  literature,  and  the  aits.  Rev. 
Dr.  Fredet  also  wrote  "  A  Treatise  on  the  Eucharistie 
Mvstery." 


•Iames  McShkkuy  was  l>orn  in  Marvlaud  in  1819,  "-radu- 


'  r' 


atcil  at  Mount  St.  Mary's  Colle<»:c  in  1838,  and  bejjran  the 
study  of  law,  which,  after  his  admi.-si()ii  to  the  bar,  he  prac 
ticed  at  Frederick  City  until  his  death,  in  1809.     He  was  a 
man  of  fine  literary  tastes.     To  tha  ''  Fnited  States  Critli- 


1 


r  \i\ 


f      ft 


X    I 

'"    I 
1-  i 


HI 


49^  Catholicity  in  the   United  States. 

olic  Magazine"  he  was  a  regular  contributor.  His  chief 
production  is  his  "History  of  Maryland,"  the  onlv  work 
containing  the  history  of  that  State  from  its  settlement 
down  to  1848.  Mr.  McSherry  also  wrote  "  Father  Laval  • 
or,  The  Jesuit  Missionary."  All  his  writings  give  evidence 
of  that  holy  faith  which  he  loved,  professed,  and  practiced 
during  his  whole  life. 

The  remaining  histoi'ical  and  biographical  authors  of  this 
period  were  B.  U.  Campbell,  whose  "  Memoirs  of  tlic  Life 
and  Times  of  Archbishop  CaiToll "  is  a  rich  source  of  infor- 
mafcion  for  all  who  wish  to  write  on  the  history  of  the  Cath- 
olic Church  in  this  Kepublic  ;  Joun  Carroll  Brent,  who.se 
"  Biographical  Sketch  of  Archbishop  Carroll "  may  be  re- 
garded as  the  pioneer  work  in  the  department  of  American 
Catholic  biography  ;  Thomas  Mooney,  who  wrote  "  A  His- 
tory of  Ireland  ";  and  Charles  Joseph  W.  Botta,  an  Italian, 
who  wrote  "  A  History  of  the  War  of  the  Independence  of 
the  U.  S.  of  America,"  conclude  the  list. 


POETRY. 

I  have  already  mentioned  Rev.  Dr.  Pise  as,  perhaps,  the 
chief  name  among  the  Catholic  poets  of  this  period.  Is^ext 
to  him  came  John  Augustus  Shea,  a  poet  of  no  mean 
merit.  Mr.  Shea  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  came  to  this  coun- 
try in  1827,  where  he  resided  to  the  date  of  his  death,  in  1845. 
His  chief  published  works  were  :  "  liuddeki,  a  Romance  in 
Verse";  "  Adolph,  and  other  Poems,"  and  "Parnassian 
Wild  Flowers."  He  was  an  ardent  Catholic.  The  spirit  of 
a  grand  and  lively  faith  breathes  through  all  his  religious 
pieces.  Charles  J.  Cannon,  and  the  famous  Mothek 
Seton,  also  wrote  occasional  short  poems  of  considerable 
merit.  "  Few  of  Mother  Seton's  poetical  compositions  are 
extant,"  writes  Rev.  Dr.  White  ;  "  but  had  she  left  no  other 
writing  of  this  description  than  the  hymn  '  Jerusalem,  my 
Happy  Home,'  it  would  be  sufficient  to  w^in  her  the  praise 
of  considerable  merit  in  this  department  of  literature. 
It  is  as  follows  : 


5  •' 


Catholic  Literature  of  Nineteenth  Century.  497 


"  Jerusalem,  my  happy  home, 
How  do  I  sigh  for  thee  ! 
When  shall  my  exile  have  an  end, 
Thy  joys  when  shall  I  see  ? 

•*  No  sun  or  moon  in  borrowed  light, 
Kevolves  thine  hours  away ; 
The  lamb  on  Calvary's  mountain  slain 
Is  thy  eternal  day. 

"  From  every  eye  He  wipes  the  tear  ; 
All  sighs  and  sorrows  cease  ; 
No  more  alternate  hope  and  fear  ; 
But  everlasting  peace. 

*'  The  thought  of  Thee  to  us  is  given, 
Our  sorrows  to  beguile, 
T'  anticipate  the  bliss  of  Heaven, 
In  His  eternal  smile." 

In  the  departments  of  Essays  and  Religion,  the  principal 
I  authors  were  Robert  Walsh,  Rev.  Prince  Gallitzin,  Bishop 
I  England,  and  Father  Kohlman,  S.J. 

liOBERT  "Walsh,  LL.D.,  was  born  in  Baltimore  in  1784. 
I  He  was  the  son  of  an  Irish  gentleman  of  the  same  name, 

and  received  his  education  at  St.  Mary's  College,  Baltimore, 

and  Georgetown  College,  D.  C.     At  the  latter  institution, 
Uheu  only  twelve  years  old,  he  delivered  a  poetical  address 

kfore  General  Washington.     After  travelling  for  a  time  in 
I  Europe,  he  settled  down  at  Philadelphia,  and  was  admitted 

to  tlie  bar.      This  profession  he  soon   abandoned  (on  ac- 

iiint  of  deafness,  it  is  said,)  for  the  more  congenial  pursuit 
I  uf  letters.*  In  1837,  he  removed  to  Paris,  where,  for  many 
I  years,  he  was  U.  S.  (Consul.     lie  continued  to  reside  in  that 

■:ty  until  his  decease  in  1859. 
Hr.  Walsh's  chief  publications  were  "  Essay  on  the  Fu- 
I  tnre  State  of  Europe";  "An  Appeal  from  the  Judgments 

of  Great  Britain,  Respecting  the  IT.  S.  of  America";  "  Letter 
I  on  the  Genius  and  Disposition  of  the  French  Government"; 


^t '.  j] 


*  "  Bibliographia  Catholica  Americana." 
32 


:iil 


498  Catholicity  /;/  the  United  States. 

and  The  American  Review,  the  Jirst  quarterly  ever  ])ub- 
lislied  in  the  United  States.  "  Dear  me !"  liumorouslv 
Myites  Father Finotti,  "these  Papists  are  such  ohscurantij^ts. 
Matthew  Carey  was  the  Jirst  to  report  tlie  proceed!  11  <rs  of 
Congress,  to  establish  a  well-conducted  magazine,  to  i>;ivc 
the  idea  of  book -trade  sales,  to  organize  Sunday-schools,  etc., 
and  liohert  Walsh  to  undertake  a  quarterly !" 

The  "  Appeal "  is  Dj^  Walsh'i:  largest  work.  It  was  called 
forth  by  the  continued  and  systematic  slanders  of  cvei'v- 
thing  American  by  the  Biitish  journals,  particularly  the 
great  Quarterlies.  "  In  it,  he  handled  the  subject,"  writes 
Dr.  Hart,  "  in  a  dignified  and  calm,  but  energetic  manner, 
and  brought  such  an  array  of  facts  and  reasoning  to  bear 
upon  it  ^8  lO  produce  a  marked  change  of  tone  in  the  Brit- 
ish ;       "s    of  treatment  of  American  subjects."* 

"  I  die  in  the  faith  of  my  ancestors — in  the  faith  of  the 
Ho""/  T^oman  Catholic  Church,"f  were  the  last  words  of 
Robert  \\  alsh,  or>o  of  the  ablest  essayists  and  writers  of  the 
nineteenth  century. 

Rev.  Demetrius  Augustine  Gallitzin  again  comes  before 
us — this  time  in  thequahty  of  an  author,  I>uring  the  period 
of  which  we  write,  he  was  the  pioneer  champion  of  Catho- 
licity, the  first  to  use  his  intellectual  sledge-hammer  on  the 
cast-iron  skull  of  bigotry.  His  principal  works  are  "  Defence 
of  Catholic  Principles  "  and  "  Letters  on  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures." These  volumes  have  been  translated  into  Gennan  and 
French,  and  widely  circulated  in  England,  Ireland,  France, 
and  Germany,  as  well  as  all  over  the  United  States.  It  is 
said  by  American  and  Insh  prelates,  who  have  ample  oppor- 
tunity for  judging,  that  they  know  of  no  works  of  the  kind 
in  the  English  language  which  have  made  so  many  converts.:}: 
Father  Gallitzin  as  a  writer  was  exceedingly  clear,  forcible, 
witty,  pointed,  and  above  all  logical.     He  wielded  a  shaip 


*  "Ainei'ican  Literature.'' 

t  "  Bibllo.  Cath.  Am.,"  p.  259. 

t  S.  M.  Hrownson  :  "  Life  of  Prince  (iallitzlu." 


Catholic  Literature  of  Nineteenth  Century,  499 

and  powerful  pen.     His  "  Defeiico  of  ('atliolic  Principles" 
isCfjiitil,  if  not  superior,  to  Bossuet's  celebrated  "  Exposi- 


55 


tion 

Rkhit  Rev.  John  Exglaxd,  D.D.,  is,  in  many  respects, 
the  ijreatest  name  in  the  Aniericaii  Catholic  literatnreof  the 
Urst  half  of  the  present  century.  He  slione  lik'>  a  star  of  won- 
derful brilliancy  in  a  constellation  of  lesser  lights.  Bishop 
England  established  the  United  States  Catholio  Mi  scellany  ; 
and  his  collected  works  bear  ample  testimony  to  his  ability 
and  literary  industry.  "  They  extend,"  writes  Rev.  O.  L. 
Jenkins,  S.S.,  "to  five  large  octavo  volniiT^s  of  500  pages 
each,  closely  printed  in  double  column.  They  treat  princi- 
pally of  controversial  and  historical  matters.  Among  the 
spirited  addresses  printed  in  these  volumes,  we  may  point 
particularly  to  those  "  On  Classical  Education,"  "  On  the 
Pleasures  of  Scholars,"  "  On  the  Origin  and  History  of  the 
Duel,"  and"  On  the  Character  of  A\^ashington."  All  his  writ- 
ings, marked  as  they  are  by  force  and  elegance  of  style,  give 
but  a  faint  idea  of  that  stirring  eloquence,  interspersed  with 
genuine  Celtic  wit,  which  seemed  ever  ready  to  come  forth, 
and  was  sure  to  bring  together  crowds  of  admiring  hearers  !* 
Speaking  of  his  writings,  Dr.  John  S.  Hart  says  :  "  Their 
chief  excellence,  probably,  is  a  singular  directness  and  clear- 
ness of  statement,  combined  with  an  Irish  intensity  of  feel- 
ing and  quickness  of  wit  that  is  likely  to  carry  the  syinpa- 
thies  of  the  reader  with  much  that  is  said.  Certain  contro- 
\ersial  passages  are  remarkable  for  clearness  of  argument 
and  shrewdness  of  thought. "f 

Father  Kohlman,  S.J.,  has  been  already  mentioned  in 
connection  with  the  history  of  the  Church  in  New  York. 
He  wrote  two  books  :  "  Confession,"  and  "  Unitarianism 
Philosophically  and  Theologically  Examined."  "  These," 
^vrites  J.  C  Shea,  "  are  extremely  valuable,  M'ritten  in  a 
clear,  forcible,  and  very  pure  style,  untarnished  by  faults 
which  we  would  almost  naturally  expect  in  a  foreigner.":]: 

*  "  Hand-book  of  British  and  American  Literature." 

t  "  American  Literature." 

t  "I'rize  Essay,"  Metropolitan,  Vol.  If. 


"  f :  "ill 

r  if 

{■■ 
I 


1% 

1  j 

m 

1 

iM 

1 

^m 

1; 

%m 

^ '• 

i  1 

1 

ll  ■  1 

1. 


lii.:.:.  .Mljiii^':!.'.  i    . 


CHAPTER  III. 

AJVIERICAN   CATHOLIC    LITERATURE    FROM    1850   TO    1876. 

HISTORY— BIOGRAPHY— laCTION— ESSAYS     AND     REVIEWS— RELIGION- 
TRAVELS — POETRY. 


I  i 


HISTORY. 

During  this  brief  period,  the  department  of  Amerieuu 
Catholic  history  has  been  mucli  enriched.  The  documents 
relating  to  early  Catholic  times  have  been  ably  and  carefully 
used.  A  flood  of  light  has  been  thrown  on  many  obscure 
points  of  our  history.  The  better  Catholicity  is  known, 
the  more  it  will  be  honored — venerated. 

Ediviund  Bailey  O'Callaghan,  LL.D.,  is  one  of  the 
ablest  and  most  honored  writers  in  our  Catholic  literature. 
He  was  born  in  Mallow,  county  Cork,  Ireland,  in  1804; 
studied  medicine  in  Canada ;  was  a  member  of  the  Lower 
Canadian  Assembly  ;  and  removed  to  New  York,  in  1837. 
He  was  keeper  of  the  historical  manuscripts  in  the  office  of 
the  Secretary  of  State  at  Albany  from  1848  to  1870,  when 
he  returned  to  New  York  City.  His  chief  works  are :  "  His- 
tory of  the  New  Netherlands,"  "  Jesuit  Relations  of  Dis- 
coveries," "  Documentary  History  of  New  York,"  and  "  Doc- 
uments Relating  to  the  Colonial  History  of  New  York."  Dr. 
O'Callaghan's  style  is  marked  by  dignity  and  animation. 
A  specimen  may  be  seen  at  page  361.  He  received  the  hon- 
orary degree  of  LL.D.  from  St.  John's  College,  Fordham, 
N.  Y. 

John  Gilmary  Shea,  LL.D.,  was  born  in   New  York 

City,  in  1824.     He  received  his  education  at  the  grammar 

school  of  Columbia  College,  and  was,  for  a  time,  a  scholastic 

in  the  Society  of  Jesus.     His  attention  was  tirst  called  to 

(500) 


Catholic  Lit craitwe  from  1850  to  1876.     501 

the  romantic  interest  of  the  early  French  colonies  in  Amer- 
ica by  reading  Bancroft's  third  volnme.  Since  that  period 
he  lias  cultivated  the  field  of  our  early  (catholic  history  with 
the  most  praiseworthy  diligence.  ''  When  the  history  of 
Ainciican  Catholic  Literature  comes  to  he  written,"  says 
the  Catholic  World,  "  the  name  of  John  Gilmary  Shea 
will  hold  one  of  the  most  honorable  places  in  the  record." 
His  best  known  works  are :  "  History  of  the  Catholic  Mis- 
sions Among  the  Indian  Tribes  of  the  United  States,"  "  Dis- 
covery and  Exploration  of  the  Mississippi,"  and  "  The  (Catho- 
lic Church  in  the  United  States  " — a  translation  of  DcCour- 
cv's  work.  The  first  is  his  masterpiece.  It  must  ever  hold  a 
high  place  in  the  department  of  American  Catholic  history. 
It  is  well-written,  very  reliable,  and  is  the  result  of  long, 
faithful,  and  laborious  study.  The  last-named  work  is  valu- 
able as  a  storehouse  of  facts ;  but  it  is  utterly  devoid  of  plan  or 
method,  and  its  dates  are  frequently  erroneous.  As  a  trans- 
lator and  editor,  Dr.  Shea  has  given  us  Charlevoix's  "New 
France,"  in  6  vols.;  "  The  Library  of  American  Linguistics,  a 
Series  of  Grammars  and  Dictionaries  of  the  Indian  Lan- 
guages," in  13  vols.;  and  an  extremely  accurate  and  valua- 
l)le  edition  of  Challoner's  Douay  Bible,  and  many  other 
works  too  numerous  to  mention.* 

Akchbisiioi'  Bayley  has  honorably  connected  his  name 
with  our  Catholic  Literature  by  his  "  Brief  Sketch  of  the  His- 
tory of  the  Catholic  Church  on  the  Island  of  ]S"ew  York," 
and  ''  Memoirs  of  Right  Rev.  S.  G.  Brute,"  Bishop  of  Yin- 
cennes.  The  first  is  marked  by  a  calm,  clear  style  ;  and  the 
second  is  a  volume  of  much  interest. 

Archbishop  Spalding  wielded  a  most  successful  pen  ;  and 
his  works  live  after  him — monuments  of  his  zeal,  faith,  and 
industry.  His  chief  productions  are  "  Sketches  of  the  Early 
Catholic  Missions  of  Kentucky  ";  "  The  Life  and  Times  of 
Bishop  Flaget"  ;  "  The  History  of  the  Protestant  Reforma- 
tion in  all  Countries  ";  ""  Miscellanea,"  a  collection  of  the  re- 


i  «i 


iff 


See  Duyckinek's  "  Cyclopaedia  of  Auieriean  Literature." 


telit;,,:. 


502 


Cat  hoi  icily  in    I  he   Unilcd  Stales. 


views,  essays,  and  lectures  prepared  by  the  author  at  differ- 
ent times,  and  which,  in  tlieir  varied  range,  treat  on  some 
fifty  dillerent  snbjects ;  and  In's  "  Lectures  on  the  Evidences 
of  Catholicity."  ISorae  of  Dr.  Spalding's  work^  are  more 
profound,  and  display  deeper  research  than  the  ''Miscella- 
nea"; but  that  is  his  most  popular  volume.  It  is  written  in 
a  strain  of  discursive  criticism,  and  is  remarkable  for  its 
happy  ofE-hand  treatment  of  the  leading  questions  of  the  auo, 
literary,  religious,  social,  and  historical.*  A  native  of  old 
Kentucky,  Dr.  Spalding  wrote,  thought,  and  felt  like  an 
American.  Nor  have  any  of  our  Catholic  writers  been  more 
successful  in  reaching  the  American  mind.  lie  understood 
its  wants,  its  peculiarities,  and  he  most  happily  found  his 
way  to  both. 

The  exceedingly  interesting  works  of  Father  De  S^rET, 
S.J.,  forri  a  valuable  contribution  to  the  history  of  the  In- 
dian missions.  The  best  known  of  these  are :  "  The  Ore- 
gon Missions  and  Travels  Over  the  Rocky  Mountains''; 
"  Indian  Letters  and  Sketches  "  ;  and  the  collection  of  let- 
ters bearing  the  title,  "Western  Missions  and  Missionaries." 
The  great  blackgown  was  a  very  graceful  writer.  His  easy 
narratives,  beautiful  reflections,  and  well-drawn  pictures 
never  fail  to  charm  the  reader,  while  they  excite  both  interest 
and  sympathy.  The  following  paragraph  is  selected  from 
one  of  his  letters : 

"  It  would  be  impossible  for  me  to  describe  the  sombre 
silence  that  rei[;ns  in  this  vast  desert.  You  may  pass  weeks 
there  on  the  march  without  meeting  a  living  soul.  And  yet 
we  become  habituated  to  it — like  it.  Solitude  seems  to  give 
scope  to  man's  intellectual  faculties ;  the  mind  seems  more 
vigorous,  the  thought  clearer.  It  has  always  seemed  to  me 
that  when  one  travels  over  the  plains  he  feels  more  inclined 
to  prayer,  meditation,  contidence  in  God,  more  disposed  to 
resign  himself  into  the  hands  of  Him  who  alone  is  our  refiigo 


*Rev.  O.  L.  Jenkins'  "Hand-book  of  British  and  American 
Literature." 


Catholic  Lilcratiirc  frovi   1850 /i?  1876.     503 

amid  perils,  and  who  alone  can  provulo  for  all  our  wants. 
Doubtless  the  absence  of  all  bustle  and  business,  the  con- 
stant dangers  to  which  we  are  exposed  from  wild  animals, 
and  enemies,  liable  to  be  met  at  every  step,  contribute  to 
this."* 

llox.  Thomas  D'Akcy  McGek,  B.C.L.,  one  of  the  most 
gifted  men  of  tl  's  age,  was  bom  in  Carlingford,  County 
Louth,  Ireland,  in  1S25.  Tie  began  life  with  the  advantages 
of  a  plain,  but  solid  education.  Coming  to  the  United  States 
in  1842,  he  soon  distinguished  liimself,  and  when  only  nine- 
teen years  of  age,  became  editor  of  the  Boston  Pilot.  Mr. 
McGee's  subsequent  career  as  a  journalist,  patriot,  statesman, 
poet,  orator,  and  historian  is  not  unknown  to  the  reading 
puijlic.  He  removed  to  Canada  in  1857.  From  that  to  the 
date  of  his  melancholy  death  in  1868,  he  was  the  chosen 
leader  of  his  countrymen,  and  their  eloquent  spokesman  and 
defender  in  the  Canadian  Parliament.  Mr.  McGee  con- 
tributed to  nearly  every  department  of  literature ;  and  it  can 
truly  be  said  of  him  that  he  touched  no  subject  which  he  did 
not  adoni.  He  was  the  first  to  work  up  the  crude  materials 
of  our  Church  history  in  his  "  Catholic  History  of  Noith 
America  "  ;  and  he  was  the  first  to  point  out  what  this  Tie- 
public  owes  to  Ireland  in  his  "  Irish  Settlers  in  America." 
"  O'Connell  and  his  Friends  "  ;  "  The  Irish  Writers  of  the 
Seventeenth  Century  "  ;  "  The  Life  of  Bishop  Maginn  "  ; 
"  Attempts  to  Establish  the  Protestant  Reformation  in  Ire- 
land "  ;  "A  History  of  Ireland  "  ;  and  "  Poems,"  edited  by 
his  friend,  Mrs.  J.  Sadlier,  complete  the  list  of  his  works. 
Among  these,  the  "  History  of  Ireland  "  holds  the  first  place. 
It  is  the  best  brief  work  on  that  subject  in  the  Eng)''  h  lan- 
guage ;  and,  if  accuracy,  philosophic  grasp  of  thought, %ound 
judgment,  and  a  style  pure,  clear,  and  terse,  be  merits  in  a 
writer  of  history,  then  Mr.  McGee  must  ever  hold  a  high 
rank  as  an  historian.  Many  of  his  poems  display  poetic 
genius  of  no  common  order.     As  an  orator  and  journalist. 


'1:; 

!► 

■-:'! 

::     1 

1 

*  II 


Western  Missions  and  Miseidnaries,"  p.  73. 


504  CatJiolicity  in  the  United  States. 


he  Imd  few  equals.  Hut,  above  all,  ho  wa.s  a  sincere  Catlio 
lie.  Mr.  Mcdee  never  win^H  so  sweetly,  his  heart  uover 
heats  so  joyously,  nor  do  his  pa^es  ever  glow  so  wannlv 
with  enthusiasm,  as  when  he  treats  of  the  glory,  and  gmii- 
deur,  and  heauty  of  Catholicity.  He  had  a  great  soul,  and 
Ilia  faults  were  like  spots  on  the  sun.  Taking  him  all  and 
all,  it  may  be  safely  said,  that  though  not  the  most  powerful, 
he  was  the  most  gifted  Catholic  writer  of  this  period. 

In  the  department  of  historical  criticism.  Col.  Jamks  r . 
Meline's  "Mary  Queen  of  Scots  and  her  Latest  Historian" 
is  a  work  which  displays  both  ability  and  research.  Afr. 
Meline  was  born  at  Sackett's  Harbor,  IS".  Y.,  in  isl).  He 
made  a  brilliant  course  of  study  at  Mount  St.  Mary's  Col- 
lege, Emmittsburg;  was  afterwards  admitted  to  the  bar; 
travelled  in  Europe ;  and  when  the  late  war  broke  out,  he 
bravely  served  his  country  with  zeal  and  devotion.  He  died 
at  Brooklyn,  in  1 8Y3,  his  last  years  being  entirely  devoted 
to  literary  pursuits.  His  principal  productions  are  the 
volume  just  mentioned,  "  Two  Thousand  Miles  on  Horsf 
back,"  and  several  able  articles  in  the  Catholic  Wor 
His  fame  will  rest  secure  on  "  Mary  Queen  of  Scots  anu 
her  Latest  English  Historian."  It  is  a  work  that  unites 
solidity  and  brilliancy,  and  is  widely  known  and  admired 
both  here  and  in  Europe.  As  a  man,  an  author,  a  soldier, 
and  a  Catholic,  Colonel  Meline  left  behind  him  a  spotless 
and  enduring  reputation. 

Among  those  who  have  lately  added  to  our  growing  stock 
of  historical  literature  is  Rev.  Aug.  J.  Thebaud,  S.J.  He 
was  born  at  Nantes,  Brittany,  France,  in  1807.  Completing 
his  theological  studies  in  the  seminary  of  that  city,  he  was 
ordained  priest  in  1831.  After  five  years  spent  in  the  ranks 
of  the  secular  clergy,  Father  Thebaud  entered  the  Society 
of  Jesus.  He  landed  in  New  York  in  1838 ;  resided  in  St. 
Mary's  College,  Kentucky,  for  eight  years ;  and  when  St. 
John's  College,  at  Fordham,  was  coniided  to  the  Society  of 
Jesus,  Father  Thel)aud  was  appointed  a  member  of  the 
faculty.      There  as  president  and  as  professor  he  zealously 


Catholic  Literature  from   1850  to  1876.     505 


labdi't'il  fur  :il)out  ti^n  yoais.  Hu  now  rosuh's  ut  St.  Fnuicis 
Xiivier  Colk'^u,  Now  York  City.  Fiitlu'i*  TIu'IkukTs  princi- 
pal volumes  are  :  "The  Iririh  Kace,"  Jind  '•  (lentilism  ;  or, 
Relii^ion  Previous  to  diristianity."  The  iiist  is  by  far  tlio 
iiidst  elaborate  aixl  carefully  written  volume  on  itsftubjcrt  in 
(lur  lan/^ua^e.  It  discusses  with  ability  and  elixjuent  enthu- 
siasm the  past,  present,  and  future  of  the  Irish  people, 
'•(leiitilism"  is  a  work  of  close  thought,  e^ensive  and 
laborious  research,  and  is  fully  up  with  the  times.*  On  the 
early  history  and  condition  of  miin,  it  throws  much  lii;ht ; 
ami  is  one  of  the  most  vigorous,  logical,  and  triumpiiant  refu- 
tations yet  given  to  the  so-called  scientific  results,  and  ma- 
terialistic philosophv of  Tvndal,  Huxley,  Darwin, an<l  others 
of  that  schi^ol.  In  both  his  })roductions  the  aged  and  learned 
Jesuit  chose  comparatively  unwrought  fields,  and  in  both  he 
has  enriched  Catholic  literature  with  works  of  permanent 
value. 

The  Rev.  Joseph  M.  Finotti  was  boi  1  in  Ferrara,  Italy, 
in  1817,  made  his  studies  at  Home,  and  was  ordained  by  the 
Archbishop  of  Baltimore  in  1847.  lie  has  been  in  the  dio- 
cese of  Boston  for  twenty-four  years,  and  is  a  great  collect- 
or of  books,  old  and  new.  As  an  author,  ho  is  a  man  of  one 
book— his  "  Bi])liographia  Catholica  Americana,"  which, 
tb(jngh  unfinished,  is  no  small  addition  to  the  history  of  our 
literature.  It  is,  indeed,  a  literary  curiosity,  whicli  must  be 
owned  and  read  to  be  appreciated.  It  is  the  only  sure  guide 
to  many  an  old  and  forgotten  volume  of  our  American 
Catholic  literature. 

ItEv.  Theodore  Noethen  has  found  time,  in  the  midst  o. 
his  arduous  duties  as  priest  and  missionary,  to  give  us  severa.' 
meritorious  productions.  lie  is  a  native  of  the  liistoric  {'ity 
uf  Cologne,  Gennany.  lie  made  his  theological  studies 
cbiclly  at  Rome,  and  was  ordained  at  St.  John's  College, 
Fordham,  by  Dr.  Hughes,  in  1841.  His  early  labors  wer* 
in  the  western  part  of  New  York  State  ;  but  for  many  yeai 


*  American  Catholic  Quarterly  Review,  January,  187G. 


'    iWi 

r  J 

\: 

'(■  ''If' 

.^t  ii|| 

W 

I?' 

t' 

5o6  Catholicity  in  the   United  States. 

he  has  been  the  esteemed  pastor  of  Holy  Cross  cluircb 
Albany.  Father  Xocthen  has  made  many  excellent  transla- 
tions, among  the  chief  of  which  are :  "  Good  Thoughts  for 
Priests  and  People,"  "  The  Ecclesiastical  Year,''  and  "  hives 
of  the  Saints."  For  the  two  last,  he  received  a  special  letter 
of  commendation  from  Pius  IX.  But  his  most  popular  and 
widely-known  book  is,  "  Compendium  of  the  History  of 
the  Catholic4)hurch,"  the  first  brief  work  written  on  the  sub- 
ject in  onr  country,  and  altogether  a  volume  of  real  merit. 

The  remaining  contributions  to  the  department  of  Catho- 
lic histoiy  are :  "  Sketches  of  the  Catholic  Church  in  New 
England,"  by  Rev.  James  Fitton,  of  Boston;  a  "Brief 
Historical  Sketch  of  the  Catholic  Church  on  Long  Island," 
by  Prof.  P.  Mulrcnan  ;  "  Sketch  of  the  Catholic  Church  in  the 
itnited  States,"  by  Rev.  Dr.  White ;  "  The  Abnaki  and 
their  History,"  by  Rev.  Eugene  Vetromile,  D.D. ;  and 
"  Irish  Emigration  to  the  United  States,"  by  Rev.  Stephen 
Byrne,  O.S.D. 

BIOGEAPHY. 

If  a  new  land  can  scarcely  be  rich  in  works  of  history, 
the  same  holds  good  of  biography.  A  country  must  pro- 
duce great  men,  and  thesf  must  die,  before  their  lives  can 
be  written.  With  us  this  department  has  been  more  care- 
fully cultivated  than  the  fieh^  of  history.  The  Catholics  of 
this  age  have  not  forgotten  the  good  and  great  men  who 
went  before  them — our  fathers  in  their  generation.  The 
earliest  writers,  during  the  period  under  consideration,  were 
Right  Rev.  Dr.  Spalding,  i'l  his  "  Life  and  Times  of 
Bishop  Flaget,"  and  Rev.  Charles  I.  White,  D.D.,  at  present 
the  learned  and  honored  pastor  of  St.  Matthews  chiu-cli, 
Washington,  D.  C.  Dr.  White's  "Life  of  Mrs.  Seton  "  is 
among  the  most  finished  and  carefully -written  works  of  this 
class  in  our  literature.  One  of  the  greatest  charms  about  it  is 
the  careful  and  happy  selection  which  the  author  made  from 
the  correspondence  of  the  saintly  lady,  and  skillfullj'^  intro- 
duced into  his  narrative.     Dr.  White  was  one  of  the  editors 


\-\    ■• 


Catholic  Literatiire  from   1850  to  1876.     507 

of  the  United  States  CatholiG  Magazine.  To  Lis  literaiy 
labors  lie  always  brought  ''  good  taste,  a  pleasing  stjle,  sound 
judgment,,  and  great  fidelity  of  research."* 

Rev.  Augustikj  F.  Hewit,  C.S.P.,  was  bom  at  Fairfield, 
Conn.,  in  1820.  His  parents  were  Kev.  ^N.  Hewit,  pastor 
of  the  Congregational  church  of  his  native  place,  and  Re- 
becca W.  Hillhouse,  of  New  Haven,  a  descendant  of  James 
Hillhouse,  of  Londonderry.  He  graduated  at  Amherst 
College,  Masb.,  in  1839.  He  then  began  the  study  of  theol- 
ogy at  East  Windsor,  Conn.,  and  afterwards  continued  it  at 
Baltimore,  Md.,  in  the  family  of  Bishop  AVhittingham,  by 
whom  he  was  raised  to  deaconship  in  1843.  In  the  spring 
of  1846,  he  was  received  into  the  Catholic  church  at 
Cliiirleston,  S.  C,  and  the  following  year  was  ordained 
priest  by  Bishop  Reynolds.  Father  Hewit  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Congregation  of  the  Most  Holy  Redeemer, 
making  his  profession  in  1851.  For  seven  years  he  zeal- 
ously labored  as  a  Redemptorist  missionary.  In  1858,  with 
Father  Ileeker,  he  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Congre- 
gation of  St.  Paul.  Father  Hewit  toiled  for  seven  years 
more  as  a  Paulist  missionary.  Since  1865,  this  learned  and 
energetic  priest  has  been  Professor  of  Philosophy  and 
Theology  in  the  Paulist  Seminary,  New  York.  As  a 
biographer,  editor,  reviewer,  and  controversialist,  he  deserv- 
edly holds  a  high  place.  In  conjunction  with  Rev.  Dr. 
Corcoran  he  edited  the  Works  of  Bisliop  England.  ''  Prob- 
lems of  the  Age,"  "  Light  in  Darkness,"  and  the  "King's 
Highway,"  are  his  chief  contributions  to  theological 
literature.  His  most  popular  works,  however,  are :  "  Life  of 
Father  Baker,"  "  Life  of  Bishop  Borie,"  "Life  of  Princess 
Borghese,"  and  "  Life  of  the  Egyptian  Aloysius."  As  a  re- 
viewer, especially  in  the  department  of  j^hilosophy.  Father 
Hewit  is  not  surpassed  in  this  country.  Most  of  his  ct^nays 
and  reviews  have   appeared  in  the  pages  of  the  Catlwllc 

*  J.  G.  Shea,  "  Prize  Essay  on  the  Catholic  Lit.  of  U.  S."— ife- 
tropoUtan,  Vol.  II. 


I  », 


5o8  Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 


'i 


Worlds  of  wliich  lie  was  editor  during  the  absence  of  Father 
Ilecker  in  Europe. 

Dr.  Eichaed  H.  Clarke  has  long  been  an  active  and 
industrious  laborer  in  the  department  of  biography.  He  is 
a  descendant,  on  the  paternal  side,  from  Robert  Clarke,  one 
of  tlie  founders  of  Catholic  Maryland ;  and  on  the  maternal 
side  from  the  Boones  of  Maryland — a  branch  of  the  aanie 
family  which  gave  to  our  history  the  distinguished  name  of 
Daniel  Boone,  the  founder  of  Kentucky.  In  1858,  he  mar- 
ried Ada  Semmes,  a  near  relative  of  Raphael  Semmes,  com- 
mander of  the  famous  Alabama.  Dr.  Clarke  was  bom  at 
Washington,  July  3, 1827,  made  his  studies  with  the  Jesuits 
at  Georgetown  College,  where  he  took  the  degree  of  B.A. 
in  1846  ;  subsequently  took  the  degree  of  M.A.,  and  in 
1872  the  honorary  degree  of  LL.D.  He  practiced  law  in 
Washington  from  1848  to  1864,  and  for  the  last  twelve 
years  in  the  City  of  New  York.  His  intervals  of  leisure  have 
been  devoted  to  works  of  public  benevolence  and  to  literature. 
His  first  literary  publication  was  a  lecture  on  "  Socialism  in 
America."  In  1856,  he  published  in  the  Baltimore  Metro- 
politan,  "  Memoirs  "  of  Father  Andrew  White,  Governor 
Leonard  Calvert  of  Maryland,  Rev.  Demetrius  Augustin 
Gallitzin,  Archbishop  Carroll,  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton, 
Commodore  John  Barry,  founder  of  the  American  Navy ; 
Cardinal  Cheverus,  Bishop  Flaget,  and  Judge  Gast  >u.  In 
1857,  he  published  in  the  same  periodical,  "  Memoirs  "  of 
Archbishop  Neale  and  Rev.  Charles  Nerinckx,  and  two 
remarkable  articles  entitled  "  Thoughts  and  Suggestions  on 
the  Catholic  Question  in  America."  He  has  also  been  a  con- 
tributor to  the  Catholic  World,  in  which  he  published 
"  Memoirs  "  of  Governor  Thomas  Dongan  of  New  York,  in 
1869;  Father  Brebeuf,  in  1871;  Father  Sebastian  Kale, 
the  martyr  of  Maine,  in  1874 ;  and  Robert  Cavelier  de  la 
Salle,  in  1875  ;  also  an  article  on  "  PubUc  Charities,"  in  1878, 
which  attracted  great  notice ;  and  in  1875  his  "  Mr.  Gladstone 
and  Maryland   Toleration " ;  the  last   was  also   issued  in 


Catholic  Literature  from  1850/^  1876.     509 

pamplilet  form  to  meet  the  demand  for  its  wider  circulation. 
Dr.  Clarke's  principal  work,  however,  is  the  "  Lives  of  the 
Deceased  Bishops  of  the  Catholic  Church  in  the  United 
States,"  1872,  in  two  large  volumes,  which  one  of  his  re- 
viewers compared  to  Lord  Campbell's  "  Li\'e8  of  the  Lord 
Chancellors,"  and  another  to  Montalembert's  "  Monks  of  the 
West."  Whatever  may  be  the  shortcomings  of  these  excellent 
volumes,  they  undoubtedly  constitute  the  most  valnable 
and  elaborate  biographical  productions  of  which  our  Amer- 
it;an  Catholic;  Literature  can  boast. 

John  R.  (t.  Hassard  was  bom  in  New  York  City  in  1836, 
and  was  educated  at  St.  John's  College,  Fordham,  where 
he  took  the  degree  of  B.A.  in  1855.  He  was  v  ne  of  the  asso- 
ciate editors  of  Appleton's  "  New  American  Cyclopa'dia," 
and  was  editor  of  the  CatholiG  World  for  the  first  five 
months  of  its  existence.  Since  1866,  Mr.  Ilassard  has  l)een 
one  of  the  leading  writers  on  the  N.  Y.  Tribune,  of  which 
lie  is  now  managing  editor.  His  "  Life  of  Archbishop 
Hughes  "  is  a  work  written  with  much  care,  thoroughness, 
and  impartiality.     The  style  is  clear,  correct,  and  scholarly. 

Rev.  J.  L.  Spalding,  S.T.L.,  nephew  of  Archbishop 
Spalding,  is  a  native  of  Kentucky,  where  he  was  born  in 
1842.  He  graduated  at  Mt.  St.  Mary's  of  the  West,  Cincin- 
nati, and  studied  divinity  in  tlie  University  of  Louvain, 
Belgium,  for  five  years,  taking  tlie  degree  of  Licentiate  in 
Theology.  He  built  the  Church  of  St.  Augustine,  J^ouis- 
ville,  Ky.,  for  negroes,  of  which  he  was  pastor  for  nearly 
two  years.  He  was  also  one  of  the  founders  and  editors  of 
the  Louisville  Catholic  Advocate.  Father  Spalding's  chief 
work  is  his  "Life  of  Archbishop  Spalding,"  a  volume  which, 
in  some  respects,  might,  perhaps,  claim  the  first  place  in  our 
biographical  literature.  Kot  only  is  it  written  with  spirit 
and  eloquence,  but  it  is  a  most  impoi'tant  contribution  to 
the  history  of  ourChui'ch  and  its  connections  with  the  great 
•luestions  of  the  day.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Spalding  is  the  author 
of  the  "  Youuir  Catholic's  Sixth  Reader."  He  also  edited  the 


ii 


^.U.iiilLl 


5IO  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


I 

.i 

IP 
m 

i  ■ : 


"whole  genes  bearing  that  name,  and  contributed  occasionally 
to  the  Catholic  World. 

Sarah  M.  Brownson,''^  the  accomplished  daughter  of  the 
late  Dr.  Brownson,  has,  in  the  "  Life  of  D.  A.  Gallitzin 
Prince  and  Priest,"  given  us  a  work  of  charming  interest 
and  permanent  value.     She  has  also  written  "  Marian  Ell- 
wood ;  or,  How  Girls  Live." 

D.  P.  CoNYNGHAM,  LL.D.,  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  ed- 
itor of  the  New  York  Sunday  Democrat^  is  the  author  of 
"  Lives  of  the  Irish  Saints,"  "  Lives  of  the  Irish  Martyrs," 
and  several  other  works.  The  first-named  is  his  principal  pro- 
duction. It  contains  the  biographies  of  sixty-live  Irish 
saints,  beginning  with  St.  Patrick  and  ending  with  St.  Law- 
rence O'Toole. 

One  of  the  most  remarkable  works  lately  published,  and 
which  belong  to  this  department,  is  "  Maria  Monk's  Daugh- 
ter ;  an  Autobiography,"  by  Mrs.  St.  John  Eckel.  Tliis 
lady,  born  in  New  York  City,  in  1837,  rose  to  fame  at  one 
bound,  as  a  writer  of  note.  Her  work  tells  the  story  of  her 
wandering  and  eventful  life.  She  became  a  Catholic  in 
1867.  "  Her  ])ook,"  says  Dr.  Brownson,  referring  to  the 
only  volume  she  has  written,  "  bears  on  every  page  the 
stainp  not  merely  of  eminent  ability,  but  of  rare  genins.  It 
sparkles  with  wit  and  vivacity,  and  is  marked  by  judicious 
observations,  profound  reflections,  thrown  off  without  ef- 
fort and  with  apparent  unconsciousness.  As  a  mere  literary 
production  it  is  not  surpassed,  and  is  hardly  equalled  by  any 
that  issued  from  the  American  press.  But  the  book  has  a 
far  higher  than  simple  literary  merit — that  of  presenting 
one  of  the  very  best  popular  arguments  for  the  Chm-ch  that 
we  are  acquainted  with."f 

Among  those  who  have  also  enriched  the  tield  of  Catholic 
biography  with  their  productions  are :  Most  Rev.  Dr.  Bay- 


*  Nov.  Mrs.  Judge  Tenney. 

t  Brownson's  Quarterly  Review  for  January,  1875, 


Erliter  of  the 


Catholic  Literature  from  1850 /{?  1876.     511 

ley;  J.  J.  Barry,  M.D.;  Eev.  M.  J.  O'Farrell;  Rev.  D.  X. 
McLeod ;  Captain  Lyons ;  Kev.  Titus  Joslin ;  and  a  Sister 
of  Mercy  of  the  St.  Louis  community,  whose  name  we  do 
not  know.     The  latter  has  written  several  Lives  of  sterling 

meiit. 

FICTION. 

The  field  of  American  Catholic  Fiction  has  been  greatly 
developed  during  the  last  quarter  of  a  century.  Still,  we 
have  had  no  Scott,  Dickens,  Mazoni,  or  GrifRn ;  and  much 
yet  remains  to  be  accomplished.  Here,  the  creative  power 
of  Catholic  female  genius  has  largely  found  expression  ;  and 
several  ladies  have  won  such  merited  laurels  that  it  is  a 
question  whether  the  palm  of  superiority  should  not  be 
awarded  to  them  rather  than  to  the  lords  of  the  creation. 

JoHx  D.  Bryant,  M.D.,  a  native  of  Philadelphia,  and  a 
convert  to  the  Catholic  Church,  is  the  author  of  "  Pauline 
Seward."  This  is  a  beautiful  Catholic  tale,  graceful,  well- 
written,  and  unaffected ;  and,  as  a  whole,  it  is  perhaps  not 
surpassed  in  excellence  by  any  other  production  of  the  same 
class.  Dr.  Bryant  has  also  written  "  The  Immaculate  Con- 
ception a  Dogma,"  and  the  '*  Redemption,''  an  elaborate 
poem  upon  the  same  subject  as  Milton's  ''  Paradise  Lost." 

We  now  come  to  the  lady  who  has  wielded  the  most 
gifted,  industrious,  and  fruitful  pen  of  this  period — a  lady 
whose  name  is  a  household  word  in  Catholic  families. 

Mary  A.  Sadlier  was  born  on  the  last  day  of  the  year 
1820,  in  Coothill,  a  considerable  town  of  the  county  of 
Cavan,  Ireland,  situated  about  half  a  mile  from  the  banlis 
of  the  silvery  Enie,  where  that  river  divides  the  counties  of 
Cavan  and  Monaghan.  Her  father,  Francis  Madden,  was 
widely  known  and  much  respected  as  an  energetic  and 
intelligent  trader,  whose  mercantile  transactions  wei'e  long 
attended  with  marked  success ;  but  a  series  of  losses,  in  a  time 
of  severe  financial  depression,  reduced  the  family  to  a  state 
of  comparative  indigence,  and  the  husband  and  father  soon 


'm 

m 

1   wk 

I  If 

ri(    .; 

\   :- 

;  A    .     ■■■' 

■':■ 

"(         ",1   .1;, 

•:"'A 

\m 

1  ;■ 

)■•. 

ill: '''  1 

;r 

t 

n 

1 

1 

r"v 


*>         f, .'    ;■     :' 


...  msMk 


M 


512 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


\ 


I! 


sank  under  the  pecuniary  difficulties  that  pressed  upon  liini 
all  the  more  galling  to  him  inasmuch  as  he  was  a  man  of 
the  strictest  integrity,  endowed  with  the  highest  sense  of 
honor,  and,  at  the  same  time,  with  keen  susceptibility. 

A  few  weeks  after  his  death,  his  eldest  dauglrter,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  emigrated  to  Canada  with  a  brother 
some  years  younger  than  herself.  In  Montreal,  she  made 
the  acquaintance  of  Mr.  James  Sadlier,  the  junior  partner  of 
the  well  known  firm  of  D.  &  J.  Sadlier  &  Co.,  Catholic 
publishers,  and  in  November,  1846,  she  became  his  wife. 
Mr.  James  Sadlier  was  then  the  manager  of  the  Montreal 
branch  of  the  business  of  the  firm,  and  in  that  city  he  and 
his  wife  continued  to  reside  till  May,  1860,  when  thev 
removed  with  their  children  to  Xew  York.  In  September, 
1869,  Mr.  James  Sadlier  died,  leaving  his  widow  the  care  of 
a  large  family  to  whom  she  has  since  sedulously  devoted 
herself,  gradually  withdrawing,  as  far  as  the  duties  of  her 
state  will  allow,  into  the  quiet  shades  of  domestic  life,  apart 
from  general  society. 

Mrs.  Sadlier  was  no  more  than  eighteen  years  of  age 
when  she  commenced  her  long  literary  career  as  an  occa- 
sional contributor  to  La  Belle  AssemhUe,  a  London  magazine 
edited  by  Mrs.  Cornwell  Baron  Wilson.  In  Canada  she 
contributed,  both  before  and  after  her  marriage,  to  the 
Literary  Garland^  published  monthly  in  Montreal.  Dur- 
ing the  years  intervening  between  1847  and  1874  Mrs. 
Sadlier  was  connected  in  one  way  or  another  with  several 
prominent  Catholic  journals,  especially  the  !New  York 
Freeman^  Journal,  Boston  Pilot,  Montreal  Ti'ue  Witnem, 
and  New  York  Tablet,  of  which  last  journal  she  was  one 
of  the  editors  for  several  years. 

During  this  time,  and  simultaneously  with  her  labors 
as  a  Catholic  journalist,  Mrs.  Sadlier  wrote  and  translated 
from  the  French  numerous  works  on  various  subjects,  most 
of  them,  especially  the  translations,  being  of  a  religious 
character.  Her  original  works,  nearly  all  of  fiction,  form  :i 
class  peculiar  to  themBelves,  havino-  ORch  .'^  ppecial  object  in 


Wm 


Catholic  Liter atuj-e  from  iS$o  to  1876.     51 


view  bearing  on  the  moral  and  religious  T\-cll-being  of  her 
fellow-Catholics,  especially  those  of  the  Irish  race,  to  which 
it  is  her  pride  to  belong  by  sjTnpathy  as  well  as  by  blood. 

Of  her  original  works,  which  number  about  tw^enty, 
the  principal  are:  "  The  Confederate  Chieftaiii3,"  "Willy 
Burke,"  and  "  The  Blakes  and  Flanagans."  She  has  also 
translated  about  twenty-five  different  volumes.  The  chief 
of  these  are  Orsini's  "  Life  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  "  and  De 
Ligny's  "  Life  of  Christ." 

A  veteran  writer  of  some  of  our  best  Catholic  tales  is 
Mijs.  A.  li.  DoRSEY.  Some  of  her  most  widely  known 
productions  are :  "  The  Oriental  Pearl "  ;  "  Coaina,  the  Rose 
of  the  Algonquins  ^' ;  "  The  Sister  of  Charity  "  ;  "  The 
Fk'iiimings  "  ;  and  "  May  Brooke,"  "SVe  regret  that  we  are 
not  in  possession  of  any  facts  relating  to  the  life  of  this 
gifted  American  lady. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Boyce,  an  Irish  priest,  who  wrote  under 
\he  7107)1  de  plume  of  "Paul  Peppergi-ass,  Esq.,"  was  the 
author  of  "  Shandy  McGuirc,"  "  The  Spaewifc,"  and  several 
other  works.  The  first  is  a  rollicking  story  oversowing 
with  fun  ;  the  second,  an  historical  tale  of  the  days  of  Queen 
Elizabeth,  is,  perhaps,  not  suited  for  general  reading,  but, 
nevertheless,  is  a  work  of  considerable  merit. 

Among  our  male  writers  of  fiction  the  name  of  Dr.  J. 
YixcEXT  Huntington,  by  general  consent  holds  the  first 
place.  He  was  born  in  Xew  York  City  in  1C15,  made  his 
studies  at  Yale  College,  and  graduated  in  medicine  at  Phila- 
delphia. He  afterwards  became  an  Episcopal  minister ;  but 
^vhile  residing  in  Brooklyn  in  1850,  he  joined  the  Catholic 
Church.  From  that  till  his  pious  death,  in  1SG2,  Dr.  Hunt- 
ington entirely  devoted  himself  to  literary  pursuits.  His 
chief  volumes  are  "  Rosemary,"  his  ablest  production ; 
"Alban";  "  The  Forest" ;  and  "The  Pretty  Plate,"  per- 
haps the  most  charming  Catholic  juvenile  talc  written  in 
America.  Ho  was  also  a  poet  of  a  high  order.  He  be- 
longed to  the  school  of  Wordsworth,  but  unlike  the  English 
bard  his  pieces  are  generally  so  polished  as  to  defy  literary 
censure.  33 


It/. 


■  *■  'w'<\ 


^mi 


514  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

Miss  Mary  I.  Hoffman  is  a  native  of  Xew  York 
and  a  graduate  of  Mount  St.  Vincent's  Acadcniv  on  the 
Hudson.  She  is  certainly  one  of  our  most  prom isinii; Catho- 
lic -wi'iters.  Her  achievements  in  the  department  of  tictiou 
merit  no  small  praise.  Miss  Hoffman's  cliief  works  are 
"Agnes  Hilton";  "Alice  Murray";  "  Felix  Kent,"  and 
"  The  Two  Orphans."  In  her  literary  labors  this  young  lady- 
has  received  much  encouragement  from  wise  friends,  and 
especially  from  the  generons  yjatronage  of  Kev.  Bruthers 
Patrick  and  Paulian,  of  Manhattan  College. 

Miss  M.  A.  Tinker,  a  native  of  New^  England  and  accn- 
vert  to  Catholicity,  is  an  author  of  acknowledged  skill  and 
power.  Her  chief  j)roductions  are  "  The  Honse  of  York,"  and 
"  Grapes  and  Thorns."  These  first  became  known  to  the 
public  throngh  the  ]iages  of  the  Catholic  World.  "  Grapes 
and  Thorns  "  is  her  longest  production,  and  is  a  tale  of  much 
dramatic  power.  Its  name  indicates  its  smile-and-tear  nat- 
ure. Miss  Tinker,  according  to  Dr.  Brownson,  "  has  won 
a  high  place,  if  not  indeed  the  very  highest  place  among  our 
American  female  Catholic  writers  of  fiction.  She  has  the 
eye  of  a  poet  for  natural  scenery,  and  her  pictures  of  nature 
are  fresh,  original,  and  truthful."* 

Eev.  a.  J.  O'Reilly,  D.D.,  editor  of  the  Montreal 
Trice  Witness,  has,  among  American  writers,  chosen  a  field 
peculiarly  his  own.  lie  was  born  in  Dublin,  Ireland,  in 
184:0 ;  studied  at  Carlow  College  and  in  Home ;  and  was 
ordained  at  Capetown,  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  in  1S63.  He 
returned  to  Europe  in  1869,  w\as  one  of  the  theologians  at 
the  Vatican  Council,  and  came  to  Canada  scA'^eral  years  ago. 
Dr.  O'Reilly's  principal  works  are  :  "  The  Martyrs  of  the 
Coliseum ,"  first  published  in  England  ;  and  "  The  Victims 
of  the  Mamcrtine,"  published  in  New  York.  The  highest 
literary  and  ecclesiastical  authorities  unite  in  praising  these 
two  volumes.  As  attractive,  valuable,  and  original  prodnc- 
tions  which  unite  the  charms  of  romance  with  the  accuracy 


*  Brownson's  Quarterly  Revieio,  January,  1875. 


Catholic  Literature  from  1850 /c?  1876.     515 


of  history,  our  age  has  not,  perhaps,  seen  the  equal  of  these 
works.  The  first  is  even  superior  to  Cardinal  "NViecman's 
"Fabiola."  It  received  the  blessing  of  Pius  IX.,  and  it  has 
lieen  translated  into  several  languages.  Ivev.  Dr.  O'lleilly 
has,  in  preparation,  a  very  interesting  Catholic  tale  entitled 
"  The  Heroine  of  Vesuvius." 

The  Rev.  Messrs.  McLeod,  Wallace,  Cummings,  Sherlock, 
Quigley,  Hoddan,  and  George  Henry  Miles  have  each  con- 
tributed one  or  more  volumes  to  the  department  of  Catholic 
fiction. 

RELIGIOUS    AND    CONTKOVERSIAL. 

The  theological  was  the  first  form  in  which  the  Catholic 
literary  mind  of  this  Republic  found  expression.  It  still, 
for  obvious  reasons,  constitutes  a  large  element,  embracing 
the  productions  of  some  of  the  most  earnest,  profound,  and 
scholarly  men  of  America. 

Arcubishop  Kenrick,  of  Baltimore,  besides  his  great 
works  on  Moral  and  Dogmatic  Theology,  was  the  author 
of  several  other  volumes  remarkable  for  sound  learning  and 
fleep  research.  His  "  Primacy  of  the  Apostolic  See  "  is  one 
of  his  earliest  and  ablest  works.  During  the  last  ten  or 
twelve  years  of  his  life,  finding  increased  leisure  for  study, 
he  completed  and  published  his  translation  of  the  "  New 
Testament,''  with  a  large  body  of  notes,  of  a  practical  char- 
acter, in  which  vast  patristic  and  biblical  learning  is  kept 
modestly  in  the  background.  Nor  did  he  rest  from  his 
labors  until  he  published  the  whole  Bible  in  a  new  version, 
with  a  full  commentary.  "  In  a  literary  point  of  view,"  says 
Dr.  John  S.  Hart,  "Archbishop  Kenrick's  English  writings 
are  marked  by  a  flowing  sweetness  and  richness  of  style  (due 
ill  part  to  his  habit  of  writing  so  much  in  Ciceronian  Latin), 
which  give  better  evidence,  at  first  sight,  of  the  Fenelon- 
like  gentleness  of  his  temper  and  manners,  than  of  the  ear- 
nestness of  his  convictions  and  the  strength  and  subtility  of 
liis  reasoning  powers."* 


♦  u 


American  Literature." 


i 

if 

ii' 

I 

\ 

' 

•\\ 

i 

1 

1^ 

•*l  t 

''^Iffi 

u  iiii'imllHliillWiiiH  J 


5i6  CatJiolicity  in  the  United  States. 


Eev.  I.  T.  IIkcker,  C.S.P.,  Superior  of  the  Coiun-ca- 
tion  of  St.  Paul,  is  one  of  our  best-known  religious  writcTrs. 
His  cliief  works  are  "  The  Aspirations  of  Nuturo,*'  and 
*'  Questions  of  tlio  Soul."  Ck-aniesa  and  force  arc  uuu-kod 
features  in  the  writings  of  Father  Jlecker.  As  an  ilhistratiun 
I  give  a  paragra])h  from  the  lirst-nanied  work  :  "  The  pre- 
tentions of  those  who  profess  to  believe  only  what  thov  com- 
prehend is  the])roniulgation  of  a  patent  al)surdity.  IVlief 
and  comprehension  are  different  operations  of  our  faculties 
and  it  is  no  mark  of  our  intelligence  to  confound  them.  Do 
these  professors  know  what  it  is  to  exclude  from  the  inind 
that  which  lies  beyond  our  powers  of  compi-ehension  \  Do 
thej  know  that  the  moment  a  man  makes  this  the  rule  of  his 
thoughts,  he  must,  if  he  would  be  consistent,  deny  his  owu 
existence,  reason,  creation,  and  God's  existence?  For  where 
is  there  a  man  who  (omiirehciids  man,  creation,  God? 
"Where  is  there  a  man  who  comprehends  what  it  is  to  see, 
feel,  hear,  or  thiidv  ? 

"  Where  is  there  a  philosopher  who  can  explain  the  simplest 
movements  of  his  own  body  ?  The  smallest  grain  of  sand  that 
he  treads  under  his  own  feet,  tho  meanest  blade  of  grass 
that  he  passes  by  unnoticed,  the  feeblest  tone  that  is  wafted 
on  the  winds,  present  to  the  mind  of  man  mysteries  as  in- 
comprehensible as  the  unfathomable  Godhead.  There  is 
not  in  this  wide  miiverse  anything  which  is  not  in  some  one 
or  more  of  its  bearings  beyond  the  ntmost  reach  of  our 
comprehension.  To  start,  then,  from  the  princi])lc  to  exeludo 
all  from  the  mind  which  we  do  not  comprehend,  is  to  be- 
lieve nothing,  to  know  nothing,  to  love  nothing,  to  do  noth- 
ing. For  believing  is  before  all  knowing,  all  loving,  all 
doing." 

.  Rev.  Donald  Xavter  McLeod  was  bom  in  T^ew  York 
City  in  1821.  Educated  an  Episcopalian,  betook  orders  in 
that  Church,  and  preached  in  various  jdaces.  In  company 
with  his  bishop,  Dr.  Ives,  he  entered  tiie  Catholic  Church. 
Several  years  of  his  life  were  now  devoted  to  literature.  In 
1860,  he  was  ordained  priest  by  Archbishop  PurccU.  Father 


Catholic  Literature  from  1850/^  1876.     517 

Mt'Leod,  wliilt'  Imrrvinr^  011  an  errand  of  mercy  to  a  poor 
Fi.'k  woman  of  his  Hoek,  was  killed  Uy  a  passinf^  railway 
tiiiii.  Tills  iin]iappy  event  ocenrrcd  at  ^edativille,  near 
Ciiicimiati,  in  18(ir).  lie  was  nndoubtc'lly  a  varie<l  and 
lifted  writer.  His  "  Devotion  to  the  Hlessed  Yiri;in  in 
Xorth  Ameriea"  is  valuaMe,  alike  for  its  elei,'ant  style,  iii- 
tcrc>tini:;  tsnbjeet,  and  the  remarkable  historical  research 
(lisi)laycd  in  its  pages.  "  Pynnshnrst  "  is  his  best  work  of 
fiction,  while  the  "  Life  of  Sir  AValter  Scott,"  and  the  "  Life 
kA  Mary  Qneen  of  Seots,"  are  volumes  of  no  common  merit. 

IvEv.  Thomas  S.  Pkeston,  Y.G.,  Chancellor  of  the  Arch- 
diocese of  Xew  York,  has  written  several  able  and  widely- 
kiKMvn  volumes,  lie  is  a  native  of  Hartford,  Conn,,  where 
he  was  born  in  1S24,  and  graduated  at  Trinity  College,  of 
tiiat  city.  He  became  an  E})isco[)al  ministi>r  in  184G, 
liut  entering  the  Catholic  Church  soon  after,  he  was  ordained 
priest  in  1850.  Of  his  nine  published  works,  the  principal 
are,  "  Ark  of  the  Covenant ;  or.  Life  of  the  Blessed  Yir- 
gin''  ;  a  volume  of  "  Sermons"'' ;  '*  Lectures  on  Christian 
Unity" ;  "  Keason  and  lievelation,"  and  "  The  Yicar  of 
Christ."     Father  Preston  is  a  very  pleasing  writer. 

The  Rev.  Clarence  A.  AYalwoktii  was  bom  at  Plattsburg, 
Clinton  Co.,  N.  Y.,  in  1820,  and  graduated  at  Union  Col- 
lege in  1838.  After  several  years  study  of  law  and  theology, 
he  entered  the  Catholic  Chnrcli  in  1845.  He  then  became 
a  member  of  the  Redemptorist  Order,  was  ordained,  and 
labored  for  many  years  in  giving  missions.  lie  was  one  of 
those  who,  with  Father  llecker,  founded  the  Paulist  Con- 
irrriration.  Since  18*i5,  he  has  been  pastor  of  St.  Marv's 
iliiirch,  Albany.  Father  AYalwoith's  chief  ])roduction  is 
"The  Gentle  Skeptic,"  a  valuable  contribution  to  i)()[)ular 
Cliristian  science.  "  It  has,"  savs  the  Catholic  World,  "the 
Solidity  and  elaborate  tinisli  of  a  work  executed  with  care 
and  diligence  by  one  who  is  both  a  strong  thinker  and  11 
Bound  scholar.  In  style  it  is  a  model  of  classic  elegance 
and  purity,  and  in  every  respect  it  deserves  a  place  among 
the  best  works  of  Englifeh  Catholic  literature." 


T" 

T 

T 

5] 

i 

! 


^  ! 


5 1 


ii  M 


I 


* 


518  Catholicity  in  the   United  States. 

Krv.  F.  X.  Wkningku,  S.J.,  I). I).,  the  famous  inl:^si()n. 
ary.  is  an  elegant  and  untirin<if  writer.  ITe  is  the  author  of 
gome  eiji^litv  works,  of  whicli  about  ten  are  in  Kn^lish.  Of 
these  tlie  best  known  are  "  ^fanual  of  the  Cathidic  ru'hi,'- 
ion  "  ;  "  riioto<,n-M[>hi(' Views"  ;  "  ('alliolicitv,  rroti'staiit- 
ism,  and  Infi(h-lity "  ;  "The  Tnfallihle  Authority  (.f  tlie 
Pope,"  and  "  Lives  of  tlie  Saints" — his  latest  work.  Father 
"NVenini^i i's  most  orinlnai,  and,  from  a  literary  point  of  view, 
his  most  remarkable  volume  i^  "  JMiotographie  Views."  Wc 
know  of  no  similar  book.  It  stands  alone  in  our  literature, 
valuable  alike  for  its  religious,  literary,  and  scientitie  beau- 
ties. F'rom  a  ehapter  on  the  Sun,  I  venture  to  extract  the 
following  ehamiing  simile.  In  fact,  the  volume  is  full  of 
Buch  pleasing  figures  :  "  In  the  polar  lands,  the  sun  ap])ears 
to  come  upon  the  horizon  before  it  rises  ;  but  this  ])henoiii- 
ena  is  only  a  cold  and  lifeless  counterfeit  of  the  King  of 
day.  A  similar  illusion  often  takes  place  in  those  from 
whose  Eouls  divine  Faith  has  departed.  They  fancy  that 
they  see  the  sun  of  truth  in  many  of  their  illusory  axioms 
and  systems,  but  they  are  deceived.  It  is  only  a  phantasm, 
but  not  the  sun  of  truth." 

One  of  our  late^^t  and  most  successful  writers  in  the  field 
of  controversy  is  Eev.  James  Kent  Stone,  C.S.P.,  D.D. 
He  was  bom  in  Boston  in  1840,  and  graduated  B.A.  at 
Harvard,  in  ISCl.  He  afterwards  spent  two  years  in 
Europe,  one  of  which,  as  a  student  at  the  University  of 
Gottigen.     "While  President  of  Ilobart  CoUer  >,  JS .   ;  .  in 


18G9,  he  entered   the  Catholic  Church 


.lis:  the   fol- 


lowing year  he  published  his  only  woi  The  Iiivit      'ti 

Heeded."  In  this  volume  he  gives  his  .  '>on3  f  tr  the  step 
he  took  in  embracing  the  true  Faith.  It  is  one  if  the  most 
finished,  logical,  and  forciblv  written  works  of  its  class. 
F'ather  Stone  is  now  a  member  of  the  Congregation  of  St. 
Paul. 

The  preceding  authors  can  be  taken  as  representatives  in 
this  department,  which,  however,  has  been  enriched  hy 
many  other  able  works,  such  as  the  Hughes  and  Brecken- 
ridge  "  Controversy  " ;  Campbell  and  Purcell  "  Debate  "  * 


m 


m 


Catholic  Literature  from  1850  A^  1876.     519 

Most  Uov.  P.  R.  Kenrick's  "  llnl;y  House  of  Lorotto " ; 
I'lownson's  "Liberalism  and  tlie  Church";  MeCiiirs 
«  Faith  the  Victory  "  ;  llewit's  "  Problems  of  the  A<,'e  "  ; 
Ives'  "  Trials  of  a  Miiul  in  its  Pro^^-ress  to  Catholicism  '' ; 
Manaha!i's  "  Triumph  of  the  Catholic  Cliurcii  "  ;  Si)ald- 
iiig's  "  Evidences  of  Catholicity""  ;  Bryant's  ''  Immacu- 
late Conception  "  ;  Kosecrans'  "  Divinity  of  Christ "  ;  Rev. 
Dr.  Cummmgs'  "  Spiritual  Progress"  ;  JJurnet's  "Path"; 
Miillei-'s  "Ifoly  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass";  Smarius'  "Points 
of  Controversy  "  ;  Tissot's  "  Keal  Presence,"  and  "  The 
Happiness  of  Heaven,"  by  a  Jesuit  Father.  The  last- 
named  work  can  be  justly  styled  a  6[)iritual  and  literary  gem. 

ESSAYS    AND    REVIEWS. 

In  this  department  of  our  literature  all  will  gladly  accord 
the  first  place  to  the  late  lamented  Dr.  O.  A.  Buownson. 
As  an  essayist,  editor  and  reviewer,  America  has  not  pro- 
duced the  superior  of  this  singularly  gifted  man.  From 
1844,  when  he  became  a  Catholic,  till  1804,  when  his  Quar- 
terly Review  suspended  publication,  Dr.  Brownson  support- 
ed it  almost  single-handed.  In  1873,  ho  revived  the  Review^ 
and  sustained  it  for  two  ^--ears  with  a  brilliancy,  undimmed 
by  age,  and  a  vigor  unsurpassed  at  any  previous  date.  Dr. 
Brownson  published  at  different  times,  "  Charles  Elwood  "  ; 
"  The  Convert"  ;  "  Liberalism  and  the  Church,"  and  "  The 
American  Republic."  The  last-named  work  is  his  master- 
piece. It  is  the  result  of  his  mature  age,  ripe  experience, 
great  learning,  and  extraordinary  intellect,  and  literary  cul- 
ture and  discipline.  In  it  "  the  Constitution  of  the  United 
States  is  explained  in  a  manner  never  before  attempted  or 
approached.  The  style  is  remarkable  for  its  strength,  den- 
sity, clearness,  and  purity.  It  supports  and  carries  forward 
Mq  immense  weight  and  volume  of  thought,  argunient,  and 
historical  and  philosophical  illustration,  without  apparent 
clfort,  and  transmits  the  author's  meaning  directly  to  the 
intellect,  like  a  ray  of  light  passing  through  a  Brazilian 
pebble  to  the  retina."*     Dr.  Brownson  was  a  giant  in  the 

*  The  Catholic  World,  Vol.  II. 


'  ^m\ 

i. 

C  fm ' 

;;!'  f^^H  ^ 

9 

: £iLl 

lii 

520  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

domain  of  lettei-s.  The  quantity  of  literary  labor  aocom- 
plished  by  him  was  indeed  astounding,  especially  for  our 
day.  Eulogiiims,  the  very  highest  have  been  papsed  upon 
his  writings.  In  them  can  be  found  "  the  terse  h^ie  of 
Tcrtullian,  the  polemic  crash  of  St.  Jerome,  the  sublime 
eloquence  of  Bossuet,  all  in  combination,  or  alternation 
with  many  sweet  strains  of  tenderness,  and  playful  ilasbes 
of  humor.  *  *  *  His  style  has  a  magnificent  Doric  beauty 
seldom  sui']:)assed,  rarely  even  equalled."* 

As  an  essayist  and  reviewer  Arcubisiiop  Sp.vldixo 
evidently  holds  the  next  place.  Ilis  "  Miscellanea  • '  is  the 
best  published  collection  of  American  Catholic  essays  yet 
issued.  His  reviews  of  D'Aubigiic  and  other  writers,  which 
afterwards  grew  into  the  "  History  of  the  Reformation,"  are 
able  and  learned  productions,  written  in  a  pointed,  popular 
style."t 


*  The  Catliolic  World,  Vol.  XXIII. 

tin  the  '"Miscellanea,"  there  aro  three  articles  entitled 
"  Early,  Catholic  Missions  in  the  North-west."  I  notice  even  in 
the  last  revised  edition  (1875)  several  errors  in  these  otherwise 
excellent  cil  says.  In  the  note  on  p.  311,  the  venerable  author 
refers  to  the  Iroquois  and  Mohawks  as  if  they  were  totally  dis- 
tinct nations,  whereas  the  Mohawks  were  simply  one  of  the  Iro- 
quois tribes.  On  page  312,  it  is  stated  that  only  two  Jesuits, 
De  Brebeuf  and  Daniel,  went  or  the  Huron  Mission  in  1834. 
There  were  three,  as  Father  Davost  was  one  of  the  nu.nber.  "  In 
the  spring  of  1G26,''  writes  Dr.  Spalding,  (p.  326,  revised  edition,) 
"  he  (Brebeuf)  penetrated  into  the  Ilui'on  wilderncjss  alone  and 
on  foot  ;  t\\f  first  white  man,  certrinly  the  fii"st  missionary  who 
ever  entered  its  unexj  lored  recesses."  The  heroic  Brebeuf  did 
not  go  alone  on  that  occasion,  neither  was  he  the  first  white 
inati,  nor  the  first  u>issionary  who  "  penetrated  into  the  Huron 
wilderness."  Father  LeCaron  had  visited  the  Ilurons,  and 
founded  a  mission  among  them  as  early  as  101;").  In  the  same 
year,  Champlain  passed  through  the  wilderness  of  Upper  Canada 
and  discovered  Lake  Ontario.  See  sketch  of  De  Brebeuf,  in  tho 
present  work  ;  also  Bancroft's  "  History  of  the  United  States," 
Vol.  III.;  Shea's  "(;atliolic  Missions"  ;  Parkman's  "Jesuiisin 
North  America " ;  Poyd's  "History  of  Canada,'"  and  Garneau's 
"Histoiro  du  Canada." 


'cs. 

iibor  acccm- 
ally  for  our 
pae^sed  upon 
erse  logic*  of 
the  sublime 
r  alternati(jii, 
layf  ul  ilasLcs 
Doric  beauty 

P     SPaLDIXO 

mea"  is  the 
ic  cssavs  vet 
riters,  wliich 
[•mation,"  are 
ited,  popular 


icles    entitled 

lotice  even  in 

ese  otherwise 

erable  avithor 

re  totally  dis- 

ne  of  the  Iro- 

tiDO  Jesuits, 

sion  in  1834. 

u.iibor.  "In 

sod  edition,) 

ss  alone  and 

ssionary  who 

Brebouf  did 

e  first  white 

o  the  Huron 

luron^,   and 

In  the  same 

pper  CanaJa 

t'beui,  ill  lljo 

ted  States," 

'Jesuits  in 

d  Garneau's 


Catholic  Literature  from  1850/^  1876.     521 

The  active  and  laborious  life  of  AKcnBisriop  Hughes  did 
not  allow  him  sufficient  time  to  leave  behind  him  a  great 
work  on  any  one  subject ;  but  his  writings,  carefully  col- 
lected and  edited  by  Mr.  Lawrence  Kelioe,  in  two  large 
volumes,  remain  a  monument  of  his  ability  as  an  able  essay- 
ist, a  skillful  and  polished  writer.  These  volumes  "  are 
destined  to  liold  a  permanent  place  in  American  Catholic 
Liti  i-ature  by  the  side  of  those  of  Bishop  England."* 

One  of  the  most  remarkable  productions  the  great  prel- 
ate ever  penned  was  his  dignified  letter  to  Mayor  IIai7)3r, 
of  JN'ew  York,  in  1844.  "  Seldom  has  there  appeared," 
writes  Dr.  Spalding, "  in  this  Union  a  document  more  t:'mely, 
more  eloquent,  more  triumphant,  more  happy  in  its  effects 
on  the  public  mind.  It  was  written  under  a  threat  of  assas- 
sination immediately  after  the  fearful  May  riots  of  Phila- 
delphia, and  at  a  moment  when  there  was  every  reason  to 
apprehend  similar  or  worse  outbreaks  in  Xew  York.  *  *  * 
It  is  estimated  that  in  New  York  alone,  150,000  persons 
read  it  within  forty-eight  honrs  after  its  publication."  The 
elegant  style  of  this  letter,  together  with  its  bold  and  fear- 
less tone,  make  it  rank  with  the  best  similar  productions  of 
Jrnius  and  Dr.  Doyle,  the  famous  "  J.  K.  L."  From  it  wo 
niaka  one  brief  extract  ''  in  which  he  beautifully  andtouch- 
ingly  alludes  to  the  American  flag  "  : 

'*I  can  even  now  remember  my  reflections  on  first  beholdinj? 
the  American  flag.  It  never  crossed  my  mind  that  a  time  might 
come  when  that  flag,  the  emblem  of  the  freedom  just  alluded  to, 
should  be  divided  by  apportioning  its  stars  to  the  citizens  of 
native  birth,  and  its  stripes  only  as  the  portion  of  the  foreigner. 
I  was,  of  course,  but  young  and  inexperienced  ;  and  yet  even 
recent  events  have  not  diminished  my  confidence  in  that  ensign 
of  civil  and  religious  libei'ty.  It  is  pot-ssible  I  was  mistaken,  but 
I  still  cling  to  the  delusion,  if  it  be  one,  and  as  I  trusted  to  that 
fliij?  on  a  natio7i\s/(iith,  I  think  it  more  likely  that  its  stripes  will 
ilisiippear  altog(;ther;  and  that  before  it  shall  be  employed  as 
an  instrument  of  bad  faith  towards  the  foreigners  of  every  land, 
the  white  portions  will  blush  into  crimson,  and  then  the  glorious 
stars  alone  will  remain." 

♦  Catholic  Woi'ld,  Vol.  II. 


I.  ■[!» 


.'  -:■'! 


■     ill 


M'   ,1- 


522  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

One  of  the  ablest  and  most  gi*aceful  Catholic  wn'ters  of 
tho  "West  is  Prof.  T.  E.  Howard,  M.A.,  of  the  University 
of  Notre  Dame.  He  was  bom  near  Ann  Arbor,  Michjo-an 
i'.i  1837.  For  a  time  he  studied  at  the  University  of  Michi- 
gan, bu.  completed  his  course  and  took  his  degrees  at  the 
insiitutiou  in  which  he  has  been  for  many  years  an  honored 
professor.  During  the  late  civil  war,  Mr.  Howard  bravely 
proved  his  patriotism  on  the  battle-field.  It  was  onlv  when 
he  was  disabled  by  a  severe  wound  that  he  retired  from  the 
service  of  his  country.  Aside  from  several  minor  produc- 
tions, his  best-known  work  is  "  Excelsior ;  or  Essays  on  Po- 
liteness and  Education,"  a  volume  which  I  have  numbered 
among  my  most  cherished  "  book  friends,"  ever  since  I  first 
read  it.  The  style  is  pleasing  and  simple,  and  some  passages 
highly  poetical, while  the  whole  volume  is  marked  by  elegance 
and  sound  sense.  Its  elevating  and  refining  influence  is  such 
that  it  should  be  read  by  every  American  young  man  and 
woman. 

Rev.  J.  DE  CoNCiLio  was  born  in  Naples,  Italy,  in  1836. 
He  made  a  special  study  of  the  great  "  Summa  "  of  St, 
Thomas,  and  was  ordained  in  1858.  The  following  year  he 
began  his  labors  in  the  diocese  of  Newark,  N.  J.,  as  pastor, 
and  afterwards  as  professor  of  dogmatic  theology  in  Seton 
Hall  College.  Father  de  Concilio  is  the  author  of  "  Catho- 
licity and  Pantheism,"  an  essay  of  much  merit,  indeed  the 
ablest  work  on  the  subject  in  our  language. 

RicHAKD  McSherry,  M.D.,  was  born  in  1817,  at  Mar- 
tinsburg,  W.  Ya.  His  classical  education  he  received  at 
Georgetown  College,  and  afterwards  studied  medicine  and 
graduated  in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania.  Dr.  McSher- 
ry's  last  and  best  volume  is  "Essays  and  Lectures." 

One  of  the  more  recent  and  scholarly  contributions  to  this 
department  of  Catholic  letters  is ''  An  Essay  Contributing  to 
a  Philosophy  of  Literature,''  by  Brother  Azarias,  of  liock 
Hill  College.  The  style  of  this  production  is  truly  charin- 
ing.  Short,  pointed  sentences,  each  bending  under  a  load  of 
thought,  compel  the  most  cultured  to  admire  the  grasp  cf 


'H  i?. 


Catholic  Literature  from  1850/(7  1876.     523 

mind,  tlie  command  of  language,  tlie  terse  eloquence  which 
the  author,  a  son  of  the  "  sainted  La  Salle,"  possesses.  A 
paragraph  selected  at  random,  will  show  what  we  mean  : 

"The  clash  of  thought  educes  new  thought.  Mind  influences 
mind  over  the  chasm  of  ages.  Virgil  bows  before  Homer,  and 
Dante  acknowledges  Virgil  to  be  his  master  and  model.  For  a 
thousand  years  Aristotle  is  the  inspiration  of  the  philosophical 
world.  The  genius  of  Thackci*ay  expands  only  after  it  has  been 
saturated  with  the  master-pieces  of  Richardson  and  Fielding. 
Thus  is  wrought  the  chain  of  thought  that  girdles  the  world."* 

Among  the  ablest  essayists  and  reviewers  whose  produc- 
tions have  appeared  in  The  CatholiG  World,  Brownsori's 
Review,  and  The  American  Catholic  Quarterly  jRemeio, 
are  Kev.  I.  T.  Hecker,  C.S.P.;  Eev.  Augustine  F.  Hewit, 
C.S.P.;  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Lynch  ;  Col.  James  A.  Meline  ; 
J.  G.  Shea,  LL.D.;  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Becker ;  Rev.  A. 
J.  Thebaud,  S.tT.;  Y.  Rev.  James  A.  Corcoran,  D.D.;  V. 
Rev.  James  O'Connor,  D.D.,  and  G.  D.  "Wolff. 

TEAVELS. 

During  the  last  quarter  of  a  century,  this  department  of 
our  American  Catholic  Literature  has  been  enriched  by 
several  really  meritorious  works.  Books  written  by  Prot- 
estant tourists  are  seldom  just — never  correct.  These  au- 
thors, in  the  language  of  a  learned  traveller,  "  frequently 
misrepresent,  perhaps  unintentionally,  the  real  customs  of 
Catholic  countries,  and  sneer  at  the  practices,  manners,  rcr 
ligion,  etc.,  of  Catholic  nations.  Their  narratives  entirely 
suppress,  or  barely  mention  the  beauty,  progress,  civiliza- 
tion, and  philanthropy  which  the  Catholic  religion  de- 
velopes,  and  the  good  which  it  operates  throughout  the 
world.  The  pre-eminence  which  Catholic  nations  hold  over 
Protestant  and  heathen  countries,  is  entirely  overlooked  by 
them  ;  and  they  even  fail  to  notice  that  the  best  monuments 
of  art  and  science,  now  existing  in  Protestant  land.<,  owe 
their  origin  to  the  influence  of  the  Catholic  religion  in  the 

^  *  P.  20. 


I  ill 

mi 


524         Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 

dfijs  previous  to  the  apostasy  of  those  countries  from  that 
Faith."  Books  of  travels,  then,  written  by  Catholics  are  a 
necessity  in  every  Catholic  family  wliicl:  makes  any  preten- 
sions to  a  library. 

The  author  who  holds  the  first  place  in  our  li.st  is  Tacv. 
Eugene  Yetromile,  D.D.  This  eminent  priest  and  scholar 
was  born  in  Gallipolis,  Italy,  and  received  his  early  educa- 
tion in  his  native  city.  Coming  to  America,  he  iiniMied 
his  studies  at  Georgetown,  D.  C.  "While  thus  employed,  he 
received  his  first  kuowledge  of  the  Abnaki  language  from 
Rev.  Yirgil  II.  Barber,  S.J.  Having  been  ordained  priest, 
he  was  soon  prepared  to  enter  on  the  mission  at  Old  Town, 
Maine,  and  was  honored  with  the  responsible  charge  of 
Indian  Missionary,  a  position  which  he  has  held  for  many 
years.  Besides  his  arduous  duties  as  a  missionary,  Dr. 
Yetromile  has  found  time  to  write  "  Travels  in  Europe, 
Egypt,  Arabia,  Palestine,  and  Syria,"  in  two  vols.;  ''  The 
Abnaki  and  their  History  '' ;  and  several  valuable  woi-ks  in 
the  Indian  language,  which  will  be  mentioned  further  on. 
The  two  volumes  of  "  Ti-avels  "  are,  so  far  as  my  knowledire 
extends,  the  latest,  most  extensive,  and  reliable  work  of  the 
kind  written  in  English  by  a  Catholic.  The  style  is  lively 
jind  elegant. 

"  Travels  in  England,  France,  Italy,  and  Ireland,"  by  the 
late  Rev.  George  F.  Ilaskins,  a  zealous  priest  and  convert  to 
the  Catholic  faith,  and  founder  of  the  "  Plouse  of  the  Holy 
Guardian  Angel,"  Boston,  is  a  most  interesting  volume.  The 
other  works  of  this  class,  worthy  of  mention,  are:  "My 
Trip  to  France,"  by  Rev.  Jolm  P.  Donelan ;  "  Rome,  its 
CMiurches,"  etc.,  by  Rev,  Dr.  Nelligan ;  "  Two  Thousand 
Miles  on  Horseback,"  by  Col.  Meline ;  and  several  of  Father 
He  Smet's  charming  books. 


POETRY. 

In  the  sixth  century  the  famous  St.  Cadoc,  poet,  prince, 
and  mop.k,  beautifully  said": 

**  No  man  is  tlie  son  of  knowledge  if  he  is  not  the  son  of  poetry, 
No  luan  loves  poetry  without  loving;  the  light; 


Catholic  Literatjire  from  \Z%q  to  1876.     525 

Nor  the  light  without  loving  tlio  truth; 

Nor  truth  without  loving  justice; 

Nor  justice  without  loving  God; 

And  he  who  loves  God  cannot  fail  to  be  happy." 

]]ut  to  come  to  our  subject.  What  shall  we  say  of  the 
x\uierican  Catholic  poetry  of  this  period?  Some  of  it  is 
good — some  better ;  but  who  will  say  that  we  have  had  the 
best  '\  However,  we  have  greatly  improved  on  the  two 
earlier  periods  ;  and  of  the  dozen  or  more  Catholic  writers 
of  poetry  of  the  last  quarter  of  a  century  several  hold  a  very 
respectable  rank  in  the  literary  world. 

The  "Poems"  of  the  gifted  Tuomas  D'Arcy  McGee, 
edited  by  Mrs.  Sadlier,  contain  not  a  few  exquisite  pieces — 
many  of  them  intensely  Catholic,  both  in  subject  and  senti- 
ment. 

John  Savage,  LL.D.,  was  born  in  Dublin,  in  1828.  lie 
received  his  early  education  in  the  monastery  at  Harold's 
Cross ;  and  afterwards  entered  the  Art  School  of  the  Royal 
Society.  His  patriotic  inclinations  led  him  to  join  the  '48 
mov^ement ;  and  on  its  failure  he  fled  to  America  and  landed 
at  i^ew  York,  about  twenty-eight  years  ago.  His  life  since 
has  been  chiefly  devoted  to  literature  and  politics.  During 
tlie  civil  war,  Mr.  Savage  was  a  staunch  Unionist.  It  was 
then  that  he  wrote  "  The  Starry  Flag,"  a  stirring  mar- 
tial ballad.  In  1875,  he  received  the  honorary  degree  of 
LL.D.  from  St.  John's  College,  at  Fordham,  N.  Y.  As  an 
editor,  biographer,  and  polished  writer,  Dr.  Savage  is  widely 
known ;  but  it  is  as  a  poet  that  he  will  be  mentioned  in 
future  years.  He  has  recently  published  "  Foems — Lyrical, 
Dramatic,  and  Romantic."  The  volume  contains  many 
pieces  of  rare  value  and  beauty.  "  Sybil,"  a  tragedy,  is,  in 
many  respects,  an  American  drama  of  a  high  order.  Some 
of  the  shorter  pieces  are  real  gems.  One  of  the  finest  of 
these  is,  "  The  Dead  Year."  Of  this  poem,  one  of  the  keen- 
est critics  of  our  country  wrote  : 

"Nothing  could  be  more  complete,  more  chaste,  or  moro 
thoughtful — full  of  I'ich  and  rotlective,  yet  Hiuiple  illustrations — 


5;^    : 


imyi 


V.'A 


/•;:      'iHi 


ii'l 


526  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

than  this  charming  reverie  of  winter.      We  regard  it  as  better 
than  similar  pieces  of  Longfellow  and  Tennyson — more  natural 
less  eccentric — as  full  of  meaning  as  feeling." 

We  give  it  without  further  comment,  merely  requesting 
the  reader  to  notice  its  happy  similes: 

THE  DEAD  YEAR. 

Yet  another  chief  is  carried 

From  life's  battle  on  his  spears, 
To  the  great  Valhalla  cloisters 

Of  the  ever-living  years. 

Yet  another  year— the  mummy 

Of  a  warlike  giant,  vast — 
Is  nitched  within  the  pyramid 

Of  the  ever-growing  past. 

Years  roll  through  the  palm  of  Ages, 

As  the  dropping  rosary  speeds 
Through  the  cold  and  passive  fingers 

Of  a  hermit  at  his  beads. 

One  year  falls  and  ends  its  penance, 

One  arises  with  its  needs. 
And  'tis  ever  thus  prays  Nature, 
*    Only  telling  years  for  beads. 

Years,  like  acorns  from  the  branches 

Of  the  giant  oak  of  Time, 
Fill  the  earth  with  healthy  seedlings 

For  a  future  more  sublime. 

Dr.  Savage  is  also  the  author  of  what  must  be  considered 
the  best  poem  yet  written  on  "  Washington." 

George  Henry  Miles,  a  native  of  Baltimore,  and  for 
many  years  professor  in  Mount  St.  Mary's  College,  Emmitts- 
burg,  was  a  poet  of  considerable  repute.  He  was  born  in 
1824,  and  died  in  1871.  His  chief  poetical  works  were: 
*'  Mahomet,"  a  drama  ;  "  De  Soto,"  a  drama  ;  "  Christine," 
a  troubadour  story,  in  verse  ;  and  many  smaller  pieces.  Dur- 
ing the  late  war  he  wrote  several  spirited  songs.  He  was 
also  the  author  of  "  Loretto ;  or,  the  Choice  "  ;  "  The  Gov- 


Catholic  Literature  from  1850  to  1876.     527 

emess,"  and  "  The  Truce  of  God,"  three  charming  tales.  All 
Mr.  Miles'  writings  breathe  a  lofty  Catholic  spirit. 

Rev.  Abkam  J.  Eyan,  the  "  Poet-Priest  of  the  South," 
vas  bom,  in  1840,  in  Virginia.  He  received  his  education 
at  St.  Mary's  Seminary,  the  BaiTcns,  Missouri.  lie  has  a 
wide  reputation  as  an  editor,  lecturer,  and  zealous  missionary. 
It  is,  however,  as  a  poet  that  Father  Ryan  is  famous. 
By  far  his  best  pieces  are  patriotic  or  religious.  His  poetry 
is  full  of  feeling — intensity — beauty — and  often  sadness. 
" The  Conquered  Banner"  ;  "  The  Sword  of  Eobert  Lee "  ; 
"  The  Land  We  Love,"  and  "  Erin's  Flag  "  are  pieces  well 
conceived,  rich  in  imagery,  and  beautifully  written.  "  The 
Conquered  Banner"  contains  seven  stanzas,  of  which  we 
give  the  first ; 

**  Furl  that  banner,  for  it  is  weary; 
Round  its  staff  'tis  drooping  dreary; 
Furl  it,  fold  it,  it  is  best: 
For  there's  not  a  man  to  wave  it, 
And  there's  not  a  sword  to  save  it, 
And  there's  not  one  left  to  lave  it, 
In  the  blood  which  heroes  gave  it. 
And  its  foes  now  scorn  to  brave  it ; 
Furl  it,  hide  it — let  it  resV 

The  Rey.  Adeian  Rouqtjette  is  a  native  of  New  Orleans, 
received  his  education  in  France,  and  was  ordained  in  1845, 
being  the  second  son  of  Louisiana  who  was  raised  to  that  holy 
dignity.  "  He  is,"  *  says  Davidson,  "  one  of  the  few  men 
who  have  written  books  in  two  languages  ;  and  one  of  the 
very  few  who  have  written  well  in  both."  The  Abbe  Rou- 
quette  is  a  true  poet — a  lover  of  the  pure,  the  sublime,  the 
beautiful.  He  is,  in  the  language  of  Brizeux,  "  the  bard  of 
Louisiana."  Besides  several  religious  works  in  prose  rnd 
verse,  he  has  written  "  AVild  Flowers " — a  collection  of 
poems  in  English.  But  his  gems  are  in  French.  The 
following  stanzas  are  from  a  little  poem  entitled  "  To  My 
Friend  " : 

♦  "The  Living  Writers  of  the  South." 


,;  I! 


;i'-  m 


528  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

"  Oh  !  that  1  could  your  language  write, 
As  you  do  mine, 
In  mystic  sacred  words  I  might 
My  soul  enshrine; 

**  Again,  I  might  in  golden  rhymes, 
Let  How  my  thought; 
But  I  have  been  in  distant  climes. 
And  tliere  forgot ! 

"As  when  at  school,  I  speak  no  more 
Your  mother-tongue; 
Nnr  can  I  sing  a  tuneful  lore 
As  once  I  sung  I  " 

The  xVbbe  Kouquette  still  resides  at  Bayou-Lacombe,  La  * 
One  of  the  truest  bards  and  sweetest  singers  of  this  gene- 
ration was  the  late  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Ford  ("  Una ").  Misa 
McMuUen  was  born  in  the  county  Antrim,  Ireland,  in  1841, 
came  to  this  country  when  a  mere  child,  and  received  her 
education  at  the  Ursuline  Convent  of  St.  Martin's,  Ohio. 
She  became  the  wife  of  Mr.  Augustine  Ford,  of  the  Irish 
Woi'ld,  in  1875,  and  in  tlie  spring  of  the  following  year  her 
genius  was  unliappily  dimmed  in  death.  Mrs.  Ford  was 
something  more  than  a  mere  poet.  She  was  a  model 
Catholic — a  deeply  religious  lady,  whose  life  was  as  beauti- 
ful as  her  brightest  stanzas.  Her  only  published  volume  is 
"  Snatches  of  Song  "  ;  but  she  wrote  much  not  contained  in 
that  work.  Mrs.  Ford's  poetry  possesses  that  grace,  culture, 
and  tender  feeling  which  finds  its  way  down  to  the  very 
depths  of  the  human  heart.  Her  verse  flowed  smooth  as  a 
limpid  stream.  Her  tropes  shot  forth  like  so  many  winged 
spirits ;  and  many  of  her  poems  have  an  artistic  beauty 
and  finish  which  must  give  tliem  a  permanent  place  in 
literature.  The  following,  though  it  may  never  be  so 
popular,  is,  in  my  opinion,  quite  equal  to  Longfellow's 
" Psalm  of  Life": 


*  See  a  notice  of  this  gifted  priest  in  the  Metropolitan,  Vol.  11., 
also  in  Davidson's  "  Living  Writer**  of  the  South." 


Catholic  Literature  from  1850/^  1876.     529 

WOUK   IS   WOUSIIIP.     • 

Toiling  brothers,  are  you  weary 

Struggling  'neatii  life's  bitter  weight  ? 
Dream  not  idleness  is  honor, 
Envy  not  the  proud  and  great  ; 
Noble  is  your  humble  lot; 
Work  is  worship,  scorrvit  not. 

Sigh  not  for  the  gilded  glory 

That  the  crown  or  sceptre  brings; 
If  ye  rule  the  fields  of  labor  ^ 

Ye  are  God-created  kings; 
Oft  a  regal  heart  may  rest 
'Neath  a  coarse  and  tattered  vest. 

Though  the  worldly  great  may  scorn  you, 

Ye  are  men — what  more  are  they  ? 
Have  they  not  the  same  Creator, 
Are  they  made  of  finer  clay  ? 
'Tis  by  noble  deeds  alone 
That  a  noble  soul  is  known. 


i^i;-   i; 


Let  the  voice  of  prayer  and  labor 

Blend  in  one  harmonious  chime; 
Useful  works  are  glorious  anthems, 
Toil  is  prayer  the  most  sublime. 

Though  ye  suffer  scorn  and  pain. 
Think  not  that  ye  live  in  vain. 

Think  of  Him,  the  "  Meek  and  Lowly," 

When  in  weariness  ye  groan ; 
How  He  lived,  and  toiled,  and  suffered, 
Poor,  unhonored  and  unknown; 
He,  the  universal  Lord, 
Worshiped  by  both  deed  and  word. 

Honored  be  the  earnest  worker, 

Blessed  the  rough,  toil-hardened  hand, 
While  the  glorious  hymn  of  labor 
Upward  floats  from  wave  to  land. 
Toilers,  noble  ife  your  lot; 
Work  is  worship,  scorn  it  not. 


■;-E!l!-      'ili 


:il!i     ^ 


ilfiiliSiiiiii 


530  Catholicity  in  the   United  States. 

John  Boyle  O'Keilly,  editor  of  the  Boston  Plhd^  is 
one  of  our  most  promising  Catholic  poets.  He  was  born  in 
the  county  of  IMeatli,  Ireland,  in  1814:.  His  chief  educator 
was  his  accomplished  mother.  At  an  early  age  he  ac(juiied 
short-hand,  which,  j^erhaps,  gave  him  a  bent  for  journalism, 
as,  in  his  fourteenth  year,  we  find  him  on  the  stall  of  tlio 
Drogheda  Argus.  In  1863,  Mr.  O'Keilly  enlisted  in  tlie 
10th  Hussars,  and  three  years  later  he  was  arrested  and  tried 
for  high  treason.  He  was  accused  of  urging  soldiers  to  be 
republicans.*  Tried  and  convicted,  he  was  sentenced  to 
twenty  years  "penal  servitude."  In  1808,  he  was  sent  to 
Western  Australia,  from  which,  in  the  following  year,  he 
escaped  on  board  of  a  whaler,  and  after  many  adventures, 
landed  in  Philadelphia.  By  pluck  and  energy,  Mr.  O'Reilly 
soon  reached  his  present  position.  He  has  published  "  Songs 
from  the  Southern  Seas,"  a  volume  which  contains  more  fresh- 
ness, vigor,  and  originality  than  is  generally  found  in  the 
Jirst  works  of  even  famous  authors.  In  most  of  his  pieces 
thought  predominates ;  in  short,  he  is  a  thoughtful  poet. 
Reality  and  sound  sense  lie  at  the  very  foundation  of  all 
his  conceptions.  One  of  his  best  poems  is  "  A  Nation's 
Test."  The  following  lines,  entitled  "  My  Mother's  Mem- 
ory," is  brief,  and  written  in  a  tender  strain : 

"  There  is  one  bright  star  in  Heaven 

Ever  shining  in  ray  night; 
God  to  me  one  guide  lias  given, 

Like  the  sailor's  beacon-light, 
Set  on  every  shoal  and  danger 

Sending  out  its  warning  ray, 
To  the  houie-bound  weary  stranger 

Looking  for  the  land-lockod  bay. 
In  my  farthest,  wildest  wanderings 

I  have  turned  me  to  that  love, 
As  a  diver  'neath  the  water 

Turns  to  watch  the  light  above." 


One  of  our  most  graceful  poets  is  Prof.  T.  E.  Howard, 
already  mentioned  in  the    department  of    Essays.     Ho 


Catholic  Litcrattire  from  \%^q  to  1876.     531 

always  sings  as  a  reli^ous  philosopher.  The  following 
e.\(|uisite  pie^e  is  rich  in  imagery,  deep,  and  thoughtful.  Its 
fovi^e  and  })eautu\\W\.  be  perceived  more  especially  by  those 
acpuatonied  to  stu  'y  the  shining  orbs  of  night. 

EVKU. 

The  patient  gaze  brhigs  out  the  star, 

That,  like  an  eyo 

Sot  in  the  sky, 
Its  sweet  light  sliedding  from  afar, 
At  morning  dawn,  and  still  at  even, 

The  night  alway, 

And  live-long  day, 
Bright  twinkles  ever,  doex)  in  Heaven. 

Thy  steadfast  prayer  so  reacheth  love, 

That,  like  the  star, 

Seeming  so  far. 
Its  glad  help  sending  from  above, 
To  youth's  fair  dream,  and  memory's  smart, 

To  griefs  sad  moan. 

And  joy's  sweet  tone, 
Aye,  burns  for  us,  deep  in  God's  heart. 

William  Collins,  author  of  a  meritorious  volume  of  **  Bal- 
lads, Poems,  and  Songs,"  is  a  poet  of  growing  fame,  and  one 
who  owes  more  to  real  genius  than  to  any  culture  derived  from 
schools  or  colleges.  lie  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1847,  came 
to  America  in  lb59,  and  follows  journalism  as  a  profession. 
As  the  poet  of  the  New  York  Irish  Worlds  he  has  gained  a 
wide  reputation.  Mr.  Collins'  forte,  it  seems,  is  in  the  produc- 
tion of  stirring,  warlike  stanzas  ;  but  he  occasionally  tries  his 
hand  at  pieces  on  temperance,  or  religious  themes.  The  fol- 
lowing is  a  Christmas  hymn  from  his  pen  : 


Ilii 


GLORIA  IN  EXCELSIS  DEO  ! 

Bear  the  glad  tidings  from  ocean  to  ocean, 
Waft  it,  ye  angels,  on  every  wind. 

Children  of  earth  bow  in  grateful  devotion, 
Christ  the  Redeemer  is  born  to  mankind. 


532  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

lie  from  tlio  tliroiin  of  liin  Fiithor  descending, 
Meekly  and  lowly  has  con»o  on  the  earth, 

Anpfels  and  saints  in  f,'iad  8yini)hony  l)lending, 
Sing  of  lliH  triumph  o'(;r  Satiiu  and  death. 

Man  from  the  darkness  of  «ln  which  onthral.s  him 
Spurning  the  tempti'r  to  life  fihall  arise, 

Out  to  the  sunlight  of  freedounie  falls  him, 
To  life,  and  to  gloi'y,  and  love  in  the  skies. 

Glory  to  God  I  let  the  proud  anthem  ringing 
Koll  to  the  uttermost  ends  of  the  earth, 

Now  let  each  heart,  gongs  of  victory  singing, 
Swell  out  in  triumph,  in  gladness  and  mirth. 

Eev.  Dr.  Wallace,  Mrs.  A.  II.  Dorscy,  Miss  EHz;i  Alien 
Starr,  Miss  Kleanor  C  Donnelly,  Dr.  .loliu  D.  Bryant,  Kev. 
Thomas  A.  Butler,  F-ancis  Dominic  Kouquctte,  and  ,1.  A. 
McCaffrey,  are  all  more  or  less  known  as  writers  of  pootrv. 

We  have  now  reached  the  conclusion  of  these  imperfect 
chapters  on  American  Catholic  literature.  All  that  we  have 
as  yet  done  in  letters  is  simply  a  beginning — a  pretty  good 
beginning.  In  the  department  of  history  we  can  point  to 
no  really  great  name.  The  bard,  t(3  be  known  in  future 
ages  us  the  Catholic  poet  of  the  United  States,  has  yet  to 
write ;  and  before  him  ]  ies  a  wide  and  glorious,  but  unwroiight 
field.  We  have  had  one  famous  reviewer,  and  one  widely- 
known  writer  on  theology.  We  have  had  a  few  good  biog- 
raphers ;  and  of  onr  essayists,  perha})s,  those  wln^se  works 
will  stand  the  test  of  time,  might  be  numbered  on  two  fin- 
gers. In  the  department  of  fiction,  the  quantity  is  much 
greater  than  the  qnality  ;  still  it  is  far  preferable  to  anytliiiii,' 
issued  by  the  Protestant  press  of  this  country.  Much  of  our 
literature,  however,  is  mere  surface  work,  possessing  ncitlaT 
brilliancy,  depth,  nor  solidity.  The  cause  is  evident :  "  There 
is  not,"  writes  Brother  Azarias,  "enough  of  thesteadinct^sof 
pui'pose,  profound  thought,  and  diligent  preparation  that  are 
necessary  to  achieve  permanent  success."*     "  We  are  obliged 


*  "  Essay  on  Philosophy  of  T.iterature." 


Catholic  L  Herat  tire  from  1850/^7  1876.     533 

to  confess,"  remarks  Dr.  Brownson,  "  that  our  authors  hick 
both  depth  and  freshness,  as  well  as  vigor  of  thou<5ht,  and 
our  Catholic  public  cares  little  about  literature  except  news- 
pai)ers  and  sensational  novels.  AVe  are  wofully  behind-hand 
ill  literature.     *  *     Hero  is  a  reproach  to  us  which  it 

is  time  for  ns  to  wipe  out.  It  is  time  for  us  to  show  that 
we  are  neither  imbecile  nor  indolent ;  and  thoCatholi{r])ub- 
lic  should  feel  their  responsibility  as  a  missionary  jteople."* 
The  true  Catholic  will  regartl  it  as  a  duty  to  patronize  our 
young  and  growing  literature.  A  good  book  is  a  good  friend. 
A  good  Catiioiic  book  is  a  dear  Catholic  friend.  Some  peo- 
ple, unhappily,  seem  to  be  in  a  state  of  invincible  ignorance 
on  this  point.  lUit  they  should  try  to  wake  up.  They  in- 
jure themselves,  and  they  do  not  l)eneiit  their  religion.  Ho 
tbutis  not  with  Catholicity  is  against  it. 

On  young  Ajneiican  Catholics  who  aspire  to  authorship, 
who  have  trained  themselves  for  the  labor  of  writing,  there 
rests  a  responsibility  equal  to  the  (lod-given  gift.  There  is 
Bomething  noble  in  aiming  high,  even  when  the  mark  is 
never  reached.  IS^othing  trifling  or  useless  should  ever  oc- 
cupy a  Catholic  pen.  The  useful,  the  entertaining,  the  in- 
structive, the  good,  the  sublime,  the  beautiful — how  vast  is 
the  field  they  cover  !  It  is  said  of  Ozanam,  that  at  the  age 
of  seventeen,  deeply  impressed  with  the  conviction  which  hia 
excellent  instructor  had  imi)arted  to  him,  that  the  Catholic 
religion  is  the  source  of  countless  benefits  to  the  human 
race,  he  formed  the  resolution  of  devoting  his  pen  to  the 
propagation  of  this  glorious  Faith.  With  all  the  ardor  of 
youth,  he  expresses  his  sentiments  in  letters  written  to  his 
friends.  He  carefully  prepared  himself  for  the  great  task  ; 
and  the  world  knows  with  what  brilliant  success  he  executed 
if.  Though  Ozanam's  life  was  short,  he  lived  long,  if  life 
is  to  be  measured  by  laboi-s.  Those  who  are  able  and  worthy 
to  enter  on  the  career  of  letters  may  perhaps  find  an  inspira- 
tion in  his  bi-ight  example. 


*  Bi'ownsoii's  Review  for  January  1873. ' 


ilk..uiliilt:.Jtt:iii*ii 


Ilk. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


CATHOLIC     ART,     SCIENCE,     AND     PHILOSOPHY     IN    THE    UNITED 

STATES. 

"  For  fifteen  hnndred  years  the  Church  has  protected  the  arts  and  scienceB ;  aud 
at  no  period  has  ahe  ahated  her  zeal."— Chateaubriand. 

CATnOLICITY  THE  MOTHER  OF  ART,  SCIENCE,  AND  PHILOROPHY—A 
GI-ANCE  AT  THE  PAST— ENGI-.sND — EAULY  HOSTILITY  OF  PROTEST- 
ANTISM TO  SCIENCE  AND  LKARNING— ITALY — CATHOLIC  SCIENCE  IX 
THE  NEW  WORLD— THE  CATHOLIC  MISSIONARIES  AS  SCIENTISTS  AND 
PHILOLOGISTS  —  KENIMCK'S  THEOLOGY  —  LA  W  — OTHER  SCIKNTIKIC 
WRITERS— CATHOLIC  ART  IN  AMERICA  —  OR.XTORY  —  PHILOSOPHY— 
CAN  SCIENCE  CONFLICT  WITH  CATHOLICITY  ?— THE  UNI  0  STATES 
AND  HIGHER  SCIKNCE— A  CATHOLIC  UNIVERSITY  NEEDED. 

The  belief  and  practice  of  Catholicity  refines,  elevates, 
and  expands  the  human  mind.  This  is  the  true  secret  of 
Catholic  influence  on  art,  science,  and  philosophy.  From  the 
iirst  ages  we  perceive  this  influence.  The  invention  of  water- 
mills,  glass  windows  for  churches,  and  silk  manufactures  be- 
long to  the  sixth  century.  The  philosophy  of  history  first 
found  a  habitation  and  a  name  in  St.  Augustine's  "  City  of 
God."  Bossuet,  Schlegel,  and  Balnies  continued  the  work, 
each  in  his  own  day.  Bells  and  organs  for  churches  were 
invented  in  the  seventh  century.  In  the  eighth  century, 
computation  from  the  birth  of  Christ  began.  A  monk  was 
its  author.  Another  invented  the  music  scale.  The  Cru- 
sades gave  the  first  great  impulse  to  commerce.  Double- 
entry  book-keeping  and  the  banking  system  originated  in 
Catholic  Italy.  Powder  was  invented  l)y  a  monk.  Eoger 
Bacon,  the  Franciscan  of  the  thirteenth  century,  was  a  far 
more  learned  and  profound  man  than  Francis  Bacon,  the 
Protestant  Chancellor  of  the  sixteenth.  Printing,  the  making 
of  paper  from  linen  rags,  oil  painting,  and  postal  routes  owe 

(534) 


THE   UNITED 


ind  aciencefl ;  aud 


Catholic  Art,  Science,  and  Philosophy.     535 

their  origin  to  the  Catliolicf  of  the  fifteenth  centnr}-.  The 
luiriinoiis  and  gigantic  intellect  of  St.  Tlionms  Aqninas  built 
lip  the  Summa.  Tlie  Catliolic  Leonardo  da  Yinci  construct- 
ed the  first  canal  with  a  series  of  k:>cks.  The  lofty  genius  of 
Catliolic  worship  louud  expression  in  the  Gothic  cathedral — 
grand  hieroglyphic,  wliicli,  when  rightly  deci})hered,  reveals 
the  spirit  in  which  the  people  of  the  Ages  of  Faith  thought 
and  worked.  As  great  artists  and  architects  the  names  of 
Michael  Angelo,  liaphael,  and  Bramante  stand  alone.  In 
music,  the  niatiter-niinds  were  all  Catholics.  In  pliilosophy, 
mathematics,  and  the  natural  sciences  we  can  easily  recall  to 
mind  Copernicus,  Galileo,  Torricelli,  Boscovich,  Gessandi, 
Descartes,  Pascal,  Piazzi,  Mallebranche,  Galvani,  De  Vico, 
Yolta,  and  Secchi,  all  Catholics,  several  of  them  Jesuits. 
Pope  Gi-egory  reformed  the  calendar.  Protestant  England, 
nt  first,  would  not  accept  the  ten  days'  correction.  Ilather 
than  agree  with  the  Pope,  that  nation  fought  against  the  sun 
and  stars  for  nearly  two  hundred  years  I  * 
To  detail  the  grand  achievements  of  Catholics  in  the  field 


:i-        1 


*  Catholicity  is  the  only  truly  seicntifio  religion,  and  the 
only  I'eligion  with  which  science  can  and  must  harmonize.  Prot- 
estantism began  by  an  insane  effort  to  abolish  the  sciences. 
Luther  declared  "  all  science,  whether  practical  or  speculative, 
to  be  damnable,  and  all  the  speculative  sciences  to  be  sinful  and 
erroneous."  He  also  loudly  declared  that  all  human  learning 
Avas  "an  invention  of  the  devil." 

In  1.520,  the  University  of  Erfurth  had  311  students;  seven 
years  later  it  had  only  14  students  !  In  most  of  the  German 
universities,  where  the  Reformation  had  its  way,  we  are  told 
that  the  students  became  "a  godless  race  like  those  of  Sodom 
Ltid  Gomorrah."  See  Spalding's  "History  of  the  Protestant 
Reformation,"  Vol.  I.,  pp  422-^^8. 

It  was  almost  as  bad  in  England.  No  sooner  did  that  nation 
apc.statize,  than  the  high  standard  of  instruction  at  Oxft)rd  and 
Caaibridge  was  at  once  lowered.  See  Dr.  Craik's  "History  of 
English  Literature  and  Language,"  Vol.  I. 

How  astonishing  that  so  many  lecturers,  editors,  writers, 
und  preachers  of  our  day  seem  never  to  have  hoard  of  such 
trifling  facts  I 


..'is''  ' 


p**;  !'••'*» 

K- ::;:;., 


53^  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

of  science  were  to  write  a  volume.  As  an  illustration,  how- 
ever, Int  me  cite  what  just  one  Catholic  nation  has  done  for 
science,  apart  from  its  acknowledged  superiority  in  the  fine 
arts.  I  refer  to  Italy.  The  Catholics  of  that  country  dis- 
covered the  laws  of  motion,  both  in  solids  and  fluids ;  the 
orbits  of  the  ^jrincipal  planets,  their  satellites  and  other 
appendages ;  they  invented  tlie  lenses,  the  telescope,  the 
microscope,  the  barometer,  the  thermometer,  the  pendulum, 
the  loclc,  the  theory  of  canals,  and  corrected  the  calendar; 
they  discovered  electricity;  made  clocks,  which  were  first 
put  up  in  Italian  monasteries  ;  made  the  best  catalogue  ot  tho 
stars ;  and  perfected  the  compass.* 


OATHOIIC    SCIENCE    IX    THE    NEW   WOULD. 

Columbus  was  the  first  Catholic  scientist  who  trod  the  soil 
of  America.  Father  Marquette  was  the  first  to  give  a  theory 
of  the  lake  tides.  The  early  missionaries,  especially  the 
Jesuit  Fathers,  were  nearly  all  men  of  scientific  attainments. 
They  discovered  the  salt  mines  of  Onondaga,  the  copper 
mines  of  Lake  Superior,  and  were  the  first  to  direct  atten- 
tion to  the  mineral  wealth  of  California,  and  other  portions 
of  the  West.  As  we  peruse  tlie  "  Relatio  Itineris  in  Mary- 
landiam  "  of  Father  White,  the  "  Xarrative  "  of  Father  Mar- 
quette, and  various  portions  of  the  "  Jesuit  Kelations,"  we 
are  struck  at  how  attentively  these  apostolic  men  observed 
the  operations  of  nature,  and  how  minutely  they  descrihed 
the  treos,  flowers,  animals,  AsIicls  reptiles,  etc.,  of  the  regions 
through  which  they  passed.  Those  who  read  that  most  in- 
teresting volume,  "Western  Mi.>,sions  and  Missionaries,'' 
will  at  once  perceive  what  a  beurhig  the  various  letters  of 
the  famous  Father  De  Smet,  S.J.,  had  on  natural  history, 
physif's,  chemistiy,  gcfdogy,  botany,  astronomy,  and  geogra- 
})liy.  We  believe  he  was  tlie  first  to  give  a  list  of  the  prin- 
cipal trees  growing  along  the  banks  of  the  Missouri. 

American  philology  is,  especially,  indebted  to  Catholics. 


*  Cardinal  Wi.-oman :  •'  Science  Under  Catholic  Influence.'" 


issionanes, 


Catholic  Art,  Science^  and  Philosophy.     537 

Cartier,  the  discoverer  of  Canada,  left  us  a  voeabulai'j-  of  the 
Hochelaga  dialect ;  F  'ther  Sagard,  on 3  of  the  Huron  proper ; 
Father  Brebeiif,  a  grammatical  outline  of  the  same  ;  Father 
Chaumonot,  a  full  and  complete  Huron  granmiar ;  Father 
White,  a  vocabulary  and  catecliism  of  the  Pascatoways ; 
Father  Bruyas,  a  grammar,  radical  words,  and  vocabulary 
of  the  Mohawk  ;  and  Father  De  Carheil,  a  Aocubulary  of 
tlu!  Cayuga,  with  catechisms  in  several  dialects — all  of  which 
still  remain  precious  monuments  of  zeal,  and  nines  for  phi- 
lological research.* 

Duponceau's  "  Memoir  on  the  Indian  Languages  of  North 
America"  was  a  valuable  contribution  to  scieiice-f  13ishop 
lliraga's  great  dictionary  of  several  of  the  lar'guages  spoken 
y  the  Indian  tribes  of  the  Lake  Superior  region  is  a  work 
which  required  prodigious  labor.  The  learned  and  saintly 
man  also  published  a  grammar  of  the  same  languages.  Rev. 
.ioscph  Marcoux  spok-^  and  wrote  the  Caughnawaga  as  an 
Indian  or  white  man  never  did.  Of  that  language,  he  left 
behind  him  a  large  folio  dictionary,  and  a  metliodical  gram- 
mar and  dictionary,  French-Iroquois  and  Iroquois-FreUijh. 
"  In  extent,  arrangement,  and  accuracy,"  writes  Dr.  Shea, 
"  they  are  unequalled  by  any  work  on  an  Indian  language 
hitherto  com])iled."  P^r.  J.  G.  Shea  himself  is  an  Indian 
scholar  of  no  mean  repute,  lie  is  the  author  of  the  elaborate 
article  on  the  Indian  languages  in  "Ap])leton's  American 
CVc'lopanlia  "  (1875) ;  and  he  edited  "  Tlie  Library  of  Ameii- 
can  Linguistics,  a  series  of  Grammars  and  Dictionaries  of  the 
Indian  Languages,"  in  13  volumes. 

The  most  famous  living  Indian  scholar,  however,  is  Rev. 
Eugene  Yetromile,  D.D.  "  He  is  believed,"  wi-ite  ■  Rev. 
Edward  Ballard,  of  Brunswick,  Maine,  '•'  to  be  the  only 
person  who  can  road  a  verse  of  Elliott's  '  Indian  Bible,' 
with  a  true  understanding  of  the  words  of  that  translation.":}: 


"  The  Meti-opnlitan,  Vol.  III. 

•^  Duponcoau  (lit  d  at  I  •hilMclelphifv  in  1844.    Unfortunately,  he 
was-  not  a  very  good  Catholic. 
t  "  r'ollootion.c  of  the  Maino  Hist.  Pooiety,"  Vol.  VI. 


r 

1; 

''"'ill 

1 

i 

.  1 

' 

m. 


538 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


W 


1  have  already  referred  to  Dr.  Yetromile  in  the  chupter  ou 
Literature.  He  lias  labored  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a 
century  among  the  Abnaki  of  Maine.  The  followino;  are 
his  chief  Indian  publieations :  (1).  "Aln'aml)y  Uli  Aw'khi- 
gan,"  a  volume  Avhich  comprises  devotions  and  instructions 
in  various  Abnaki  dialects  ;*  (2).  "  Ahianuhewintulianguii/' 
a  collection  of  hymns  put  to  nmsic  ;  (3).  "  Vetromile  Wewc.ssi 
TJbihiaji,''  an  Indian  Bible  ;  (4).  An  "  Abnaki  Dictionarv," 
in  three  folio  volumes.  Yols.  1  and  2  are  English-Ah- 
naki  ;  or,  A  Com])arative  Dictionary  of  the  veneral>le 
Father  Kale's  Dictionary,  and  the  present  I'enolscot,  Pas- 
samaquoddy,  Micmac,  and  occasionally  Montaneer  dialects. 
Vol.  3  comprises  Abnaki-English-Latiii.  Undei'theliead  of 
Abnaki  are  included  all  dialects  of  the  Abnaki  nation.  ''  Al- 
though I  have  been  twenty-one  years  at  work  on  this  Dic- 
tionary, "  writes  Rev.  Dr.  Yetromile,  "yet  it  is  not  com- 
pleted, hence  not  printed. "f 

In  Theology,  the  queen  of  sciences,  we  can  point  with  an 
honest  pride  to  the  works  of  the  late  Archbishop  Kenrick,  of 
Baltimore.  His  "  Dogmatic  and  Moral  Theology,"  in  seven 
volumes,  constitutes  a  complete  body  of  sacred  science  suited 
to  the  wants  of  the  United  States.  "  The  appearance,"  writes 
J.  G.  Shea,  "  of  so  large  a  work,  written  in  good  Latin,  and 
intended  really  for  use,  was  a  source  of  wonder  to  the  Piot- 
estant  public  and  clergy,  few  of  whom  could  even  read  it 
without  some  difficulty,  and  iione,  perhaps,  with  ease.  Con- 
sidered in  a  literary  point  of  view,  it  marks  the  clas:;ic 
chira.'ter  of  our  writers,  a  familiarity  with  Roman  litera- 
tnrc,  which  is  unequalled  in  the  country." 

The  Catholic  names  of  Gaston,  Taney,  Brady,  O'Conoi', 
and  O'Gorman  reflect  honor  on  the  science  of  law  and  the 
legal  profession  in  America.  Matthew  Carey  was  the  first 
able  wi'iter  on  political  economy  in  this  Republic.  In  the 
early  part  of  the  century,  Father  F.  X.   Brosius  publisheil 

*  For  a  copy  of  this  curious  and  valuable  work  the  author  is 
fjidebted  to  tlin  kind  courtesy  of  llev.  Dr.  Vetroiiiilo. 
t  Letter  to  the  author. 


lowinir  vd'Q 


CatlrHc  A^'t,  Science,  and  Philosophy.     539 

at  Boston,  his  "  Xevv  and  Concise  Method  of  Finding  the 
Latitnde  by  J)ouble  Latitudes  of  the  Sun."  In  1812,  Ilev. 
James  Wallace,  S.J.,  issued  '•  A  Xew  Treatise  on  the  Use 
of  the  (Jlobes  and  l*"actical  Astronomy."  William  James 
McNevip,  M.D.,  was  the  author  of  "  Exposition  of  the 
Atomic  Theory  of  Chemistrv/'  which  lirst  appeared  in 
1811).  Eev.  T.  E.  Levins  was  a  skillful  lapidary  and  emi- 
nent mathematician.  The  C'roton  Aqueduct  had  the  benefit 
of  his  talents  as  an  engineer.  James  Ilyan  was  the  author 
of  several  works  on  mathematics.  M.  J.  Kerney,  M.A., 
■wi'oto  a  few  elementary  works  of  science.  Fatlier  B.  Sestini, 
S.J.,  has  written  a  complete  course  in  the  higl)er  departments 
of  mathematics.  He  was  bom  in  Florence,  Italy,  entered  the 
Society  of  Jesus,  and  was  for  some  years  a  pupil  of  the 
famous  astronomer.  Father  De  Yico,  S.J.  Father  Sestini 
came  to  this  country  in  18-18.  Ilis  chief  pul)lications  are: 
"  A  Treatise  on  Al<>:ebra"  ;  ''Elements  of  Geometrv  and 
Trigonometry";  'VA  Treatise  on  Analytical  Geometry"; 
and  lastly,  "  A  Manual  of  Cleonietrical  and  Infinitesimal 
Analysis."  Captain  .'.  M.  O'Connor  gav  this  country  one 
of  its  first,  if  not  its  very  first  work  on  the  science  of  war. 
It  was  entitlv'^.d,  "  A  Treatise  on  the  Science  of  Wai*  and 
rortification." 

Where  Catholicity  is,  there  also  must  the  arts  be.  In  this 
comparatively  new  country  we  have  made  a  beginning. 
Ilealy,  the  well-known  portrait  ])ainter,  is  a  Catholic.  It 
is  in  connection  with  religion,  however,  that  Catholic  art 
lias  performed  its  noblest  achievements  in  the  United  Srate=. 
Nearly  every  large  city  can  show  its  Gothic  Cathedra,!, 
a  monument  alike  of  taste  and  pic^y-  Two  of  these  justly 
I '  lini  a  few  linos. 

When  completed.  St.  Patrick's  Cathedral,  New  York 
City,  will  be  the  larg(•^t,  mo<t  beautilul,  and  costly  structure 
of  the  kind  in  this  Kepulilir.  The  style  of  aivhitectiire  is 
tlic  pure  Gothic,  which  j>revailed  in  Europe  in  the  loth  and 
1  llh  centuries.  The  coi-nv  r-stone  was  laid  in  1858,  by  the 
A  ivhiiishop,  Hnglies  :  and,  save   three   vears  that  the  work 


ill 


in 


540  Catholicity  in  the   V)Litcd  States. 

was  3U8]jcnded,  the  cdiiicu  lias  been  growing  gni(hmllv  evur 
since.  It  much  resembles  the  famous  Cathedral  of  Coloi^ne. 
The  foundation  is  of  immense  blocks  of  granite  ;  while  all 
above  the  base  course  consists  of  line  white  marble.  The 
extreme  length  is  332  feet;  extreme  breadth  174  feet; 
while  the  two  massive  towers  will  each  be  328  feet  hioji 
It  is  rapidly  approaching  com])letion. 

The  Cathedral  of  Holy  Cross,  Boston,  Mass.,  dedicated 
December  8,  1875,  is  a  structure  of  massive  beauty.  The 
style  is  purely  mediaeval  Gothic.  The  entire  length,  includ- 
ing the  chapel  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament,  on  the  noi-tli- 
east  corner,  is  304  feet;  length,  exclusive  of  the  chapel,  ;520 
feet ;  width  at  the  transept,  160  feet ;  height  to  the  ridge- 
pole, Vi  feet.  In  froi^t,  there  are  two  towers  of  une(iuiil 
altitude.  The  main  one  on  the  south-west  comer  is  320 
feet  high,  the  other  200  feet  higii.  This  Cathedral  is  chiefly 
built  of  "  lioxbnry  pudding-stone,"  a  very  solid  and  dura])le 
stone,  well  adapted  to  the  Gothic  style  of  architecture. 
Holy  Cross  was  erected  by  the  present  Archbishop  of  Boston, 
Most  Rev.  J.  J.  Williams,  D.D.,  tli'j  architect  being  Mr. 
Patrick  Keeley,  of  Brooklyn,  a  gentleman  who  has  built 
nearly  three  hundred  churches  in  America.  He  is  a  native 
of  Ireland. 

Among  the  other  Cathedi*als  of  note  are  those  of  Pitts- 
burg, J^hiladelphia,  Albany,  Chicago,  Baltimore,  Butf.i'o, 
Louisville,  Milwaukee,  St.  Louis,  and  Cincinnati.  St. 
Joseph's  Cathedral,  Buffalo,  and  the  Church  of  Notre 
Dame  University,  Indiana,  possess  the  most  j^owerful  chimes 
of  bells  on  the  American  Continent. 

Catholicity  has  given  to  this  ilepublic  such  orator^  as  xVn ' 
bishop  Carroll,  Bishop  England,  Archbinhop  Hughe.-. 
Archbishop  Kenrick,  liev.  Father  Harold,  Rev.  Dr.  Pist. 
Rig-lit  Rev.  Dr.  Patrick  J.  Ryan,  Rev.  Dr.  Mc(Tlynn,  Rev. 
Arnold  Damen,  S.J.,  William  Gaston,  T.  D.  McGc-e,  Rich- 
ard O'Ciorman,  Charles  O'Conor,  and  others,  ^peakiii,' 
of  Father  Harold,  the  Puminicuii  •  •"  ])r.  A -''hibald  Alex- 
ander, of  Princeton  College,  N.  f.,  told  dohn  \agle  that 


Catholic  Art,  Science,  and  Philosophy.     541 


nover  knew  wliat  tnie  pulpit  oratory  was  until  he  heard 
Harold ;  he  said  his  h^gie,  rhetoric,  diction,  grace  were  all 
superlative."* 

l-'roni  the  day  he  entered  the  Catholic  Church,  Dr.  Brown- 
son  wan  an  earnest  and  indefatigable  laborer  in  the  field  of 
philosophy.  IIisi?eM'«w?  is  a  philosophical  mine.  Rev.  W. 
H.  Hill,  S.J,,  has  given  us  a  valuable  work  on  the  "Ele- 
ments of  Philosophy.''  Rev  L.  Jouin,  S.J.,  is  the  author  of 
"  Compendium  Logicse  et  Metaphysicae,"  and  "  Elementa 
Philosophise  Moralis  "  ;  and  Rev.  S.  Tongiorgi,  S.J.,  has 
wiitten  an  excellent  work  entitled  "  Institutiones  Philo- 
sophicsB."  Rev.  Brother  Azarias,  '^  Kssay  Contributing  to  a 
Philosophy  of  Literature "  ;  IJev.  Dr.  Brann's  "  Curious 
Questions"  and  "  Truth  and  Error  "  ;  and  the  Abbe  Balmes, 
*'  Fundamental  Philosophy,"  and  his  work  on  "  Logic,''  are  all  * 
valuable  contributions  to  Catholic  Philosophy  ;  while  the 
various  volumes  of  the  Catholic  World  have  laru'elv  en- 
riehed  the  same  department. 

As  we  began  this  chapter  with  science,  so  we  shall  con-' 
elude  with  a  few  words  on  the  same  sul)je(;t.  Can  the 
truths  of  science  ever  conflict  with  the  truths  of  the  Catholic 
Faith  ?  Never.  This  is  something  which  has  never  occur- 
red, and  never  can  occur.  Does  the  mathenuitical  truth  that 
two  and  two  make  four  contradict  the  theological  truth  that 
there  is  one  God  ?  Certainly  not.  It  is  the  same,  then, 
with  all  the  truths  of  science.  Bv  the  truths  of  science, 
I  do  not  mean  the  guesses,  conjectures,  and  unproved 
theories  of  scientists.  It  is  with  these,  and  these  only,  that 
religion  can  ever  come  into  collision,  and  for  the  simple 
reason  that  thev  are  often  false.  The  so-called  conflict 
between  science  and  religion  is  a  fiction — a  bugbear  con- 
jured up  by  scientific  fops,  or  literary  scoundrels,  who  often 
possess  little  science  and  no  religion,  and  who  get  angry  and 
c:dl  CatlK)licitv  bad  names  if  the  Church  condemns  their 
ridiculou.-   guesses    and    wild    conjectures.     Whenevei*  w^e 

*  LippincoWs  Magazine,  cited   in    "Bibliograpliia  Cutholica 
Americana." 


i 


m 


542 


CalJiolicity  ui  the   United  States, 


read  tlie  effusions  of  one  of  these  geniuses,  or  his  descrip- 
tions of  the  fabulous  wars  between  religion  and  acience,  we 
are  at  once  reminded  of  i>oppolo's  I'anfarone  : 

"  What  is't  that  boils  within  me  ? 
Is't  the  throes  of  nascent  genius  ;  or  the  strife 
Of  higli  immortal  tlioughts  to  And  a  vent; 
Or,  is  it  wind?" 


The  United  States  is  a  land  fertile  in  useful  inventions. 
In  that  line  American  ingenuity  and  common  sense,  perhaps, 
carry  off  the  palm.  But  as  soon  as  we  come  to  the  field 
of  higher  science  all  is  changed.  Our  sujjposed  greatness 
vanishes.  Indeed,  it  may  be  safely  said  that  there  is  not 
to-day  in  this  Republic  two  scientists,  Pi'otestant  or  Catholic, 
of  such  established  reputation  that  tlieir  names  will  be  well 
remembered  one  hundred  years  hence. 

IJenjamin  Franklin*  is  yet  the  largest  and  brightest  star 
in  the  scientific  firmament  of  America.  AVhat  is  the  cause 
of  this  ?  The  want  of  a  high  standard  of  education — the 
want  of  institutions  of  learning  to  insist  on  that  high  stand- 
ard. This  is  why  a  first-class  Catholic  University  is  really 
needed.  Its  very  presence  would  soon  elevate  the  tone  of 
American  art,  science,  and  philosophy.  It  would  train  up 
sound  scholars — men  able  to  grapple  successfully  with  Dar- 
win, Buckle,  Huxley,  and  Tyndal  on  their  own  ground.  Its 
graduates  would  not  be  young  men  whose  minds  are  partly 
filled  with  such  a  jumble  of  science  and  philosophy,  that  in 
a  few  years  the  little  religion  they  possess  is  completely 
hunted  out  of  them,  leaving  them  to  wander  through  life 
in  the  mazes  of  doubter  indifference,  or  more  unfortunately 
Btill,  to  fall  into  infidelity  !  Never  did  Bacon  say  anything 
truer  or  wiser  than  when  he  wrote :  "  A  little  philosophy 
inclineth  man's  mind  to  atheism,  but  depth  in  philosophy 
bi'ingeth  men's  minds  about  to  religion."f 


*  Franklin  was  not  a  Catholic. 
t  Essay  XVI.   "  On  Atheism." 


CHAPTETl  V. 

CATHOLIC    JOURNALISM    L\    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

"In  our  clay  Providence  seems  to  have  given  a  great  mifsion  to  the  Catholic  Press." 

-Pius  IX. 

INTRODUCTOnY — TIIK  WERKLY  CATUOMC  PRESS— THE  M.\(»AZrNES— THE 
QU.XRTEKMKS— THE  AGE  OF  JOUUNALTSM — GOOD  ANl)  B\D  PAPEK8 — 
SOME  NEWSPAPER  DEFECTS— THE  CATHOLIC  EDITOR — TABLE  OP 
CATHOLIC  JOURNALS. 


I)Y  the  term  "  joiiniaHt^in,"  used  in  tlie  heading  of  this 
chapter,  we  include  all  forms  of  American  Catholic  periotl- 
ical  literature — newspapers,  magazines,  and  reviews,  piinted 
ill  our  own  language.  As  Catholics  invented  the  art  of 
pi'intiiig,  so  it  was  Catlioli(!S  who  originated  the  first  news- 
paper. Tliis  was  the  Gazette  of  Venice,  issued  during  the 
war  with  the  Turks,  in  15()3.  It  received  its  name  from  a 
small  coin  called  gazetta — the  price  charged  for  the  privi- 
lege of  reading  it.  The  first  Fi-ench  newspaper,  the  Mer- 
<nire  Francois^  appeared  in  1G05.  The  WeeMy  JV^eios, 
which  began  in  1022,  was  the  first  English  newspaper.  It 
contained  only  foreign  news.  Steele's  Tatler,  which  dated 
from  1709,  was  really,  however,  the  first  sheet  of  Engl.^h 
periodical  literature.  The  first  American  newspaper  wa^ 
the  Boston  PuhUc  Occurrenaea^  issued  in  1690. 

It  is  easy  to  understand  that  a  cei'tain  population  is  neces- 
sary to  support  a  press.  Witli  the  Catholics  of  the  United 
States,  this  was  tlu?  great  drawback  at  first.  They  were 
scattered,  unorganized,  and  comparatively  few  in  numbers. 
Besides,  the  penal  laws  of  England  had  prevented  many  of 
tlie  English-.'^peaking  ]>ortion   from  learning   how   Co  read. 


mil  I 


m'. 


THE    WEEKLY    CATHOLIC    I'APERS. 

T^e  Shmnrock^  the  first  American  newspa])er  to  which 
we  may  fairly  apply  the  term  (.atholic,  appo.irtHl  in    Xew 

(i;3) 


544  Catholicity  in  the   United  States, 

York  ill  ISlf).  It  livo<l  fill*  sovenil  years,  its  editor  liciii"- 
Thomas  D'Conor,  father  of  ('liarles  O'Coiior,  the  distin- 
guished Catholie  lawyer.  "  It  professed,"  says  Archbishop 
Ilna-lies,  "to  defend  the  Irish  eliaraeter  ap^ainst  ohloqnv. 
Incidentally  it  was  Catholic,  in  so  far  as  the  Irish  were 
assailed."*  The  real  founder,  however,  of  (.atholic  jonni.il- 
ism  in  America  was  IJishop  P]n<4'land — all  honor  to  his  *riant 
Irish  intellect.  lie  saw  that  our  religion  was  regarded  with 
contem])t.  To  him  fell  the  splendid  work  of  changing  the 
current  of  public  opinion,  of  giving  Catholicity  a  certain 
respectability — a  status  in  this  Republic.  A  prelate  en- 
dowed with  such  grasp  of  mind  at  once  perceived  the  value 
of  the  ])ress,  and  in  1822,  he  established  the  United  Staten 
Catholic  Miscellany  at  Charleston,  S.  C.  For  twenty  years 
the  pi'oduct  of  Dr.  England's  niag-ic  pen  appeared  in  its 
columns.  His  accomplished  young  sister  was  for  a  time  his 
second  self  \\\  the  management  of  the  paper.  It  is  said  she 
often  toned  down  the  fierce  logic  of  his  bold  and  pointed 
articles ;  M'hile  by  her  own  contributions  the  pages  of  the 
journal  were  frequently  graced  and  enriched.  But  God 
called  away  this  gifted  and  beautiful  girl,  and  the  gi'eat 
Bishop  shed  many  an  affectionate  tear  on  her  grave.  Under 
such  noble  auspices  began  our  first  American  Catholic 
newspaper.  The  Catholic  Miscellany,  unfortunately,  ceased 
publication  in  the  spring  of  1861. 

In  1822,  Den  man  established  the  Truth  Teller  in  New 
York  ;  and  soon  after,  George  Pepper  founded  the  Irish 
Shield  at  Philadel]diia.  The  latter,  it  appears,  had  but  a 
brief  term  of  existence,  and  Mr.  Pepper  having  removed  to 
Boston,  there  began  the  Catholic  Sentinel.  Writing  of 
Pepper,  McCtcc  says  :  "  His  papers  were  always  stored  with 
anec'dote  and  biograpliy.  He  was  often  scurrilous  and  some- 
time.^ fulsome;  but  it  was  the  time  of  the  tomahawk,  in 
literature  as  in  war.''f  At  that  period,  Catholic  Emancipation 


*  "Reflections on  the  Catliolic  Pr<^ss." 

t  "  History  of  the  Irish  Settlers  in  America." 


Catholic  Jojtnialisvi  in  the  United  States.  545 

was  the  al).«oi'l)inc;  topif  of  dlsciis.sion  in  the  political  world  ; 
and  in  IS'25),  18.'U),  and  1831,  vvhoii  tlio  Catliolic  spirit  rose 
everywliero  with  the  tidings  of  O'C'onncirrt  victory,  The 
Jt'fiuit  in  Boston,  the  IT.  S.  Catholic  Free  Pref^s  in  Hart- 
ford, The  Catholic  I'dccfraph  in  (Jincinnafi,  and  tlic  Catholio 
Dlanj  in  New  York,  were  added  to  the  jonrnals  already 
devoted  to  Cath()h*(^  [)rlnciplcs  and  the  Irish  race, 

Tlie  Catholic  Telegraphy  now  the  oldest  Catholic  jonrn  il 
in  the  I'^nited  States,  made  its  appearance  at  Cincinnati  in 
tlie  fall  of  1.S81.  It  wiiS  founded  by  the  sainted  Bishop 
Fenwick,  O.S.D.  Its  career  has  been  marked  by  an  honest 
boldness.  On  its  editorial  banner  it  has  long  borne  aloft 
the  name  of  V.  Rev.  Edwarl  Purcell,  "  a  genial,  warm- 
hearted, independent  writer,  who,  to  a  bountiful  supply  of 
uncommon  common  sense,  blends  the  astute  discrimination 
of  a  lawyer,  with  a  clear  knowledge  of  Catholic  doctrine 
and  felicitous  way  of  ex[)ressing  himself.  He  has  been  for 
some  yeare  very  ably  i  ssisted  by  the  Rev.  J.  F.  Callaghan, 
whose  editorials  are  no  playtliings."* 

The  Pilot  of  Boston  is,  in  point  of  years,  the  second  of 
the  living  veterans.  It  was  established  in  1837.  Its  course 
of  over  a  third  of  a  century  lias  been,  on  the  whole, 
high-toned  and  honorable.  Patrick  Donahoe,  long  the 
proprietoi",  was  a  man  of  indomitable  energy,  and  in  all 
the  ups  and  downs,  and  struggles  and  victories  of  his  paper, 
must  be  said  to  have  acted  like  a  man.  For  many  years 
The  Pilot  has  been  one  of  the  most  widely  circulated 
and  influential  Catholic  jonrnals  in  America.  Though  a 
well  known  advocate  of  the  rights  of  the  Irish  race,  it  has 
111  it  ceased  to  identify  itself  with  the  interests  of  Catholicity. 
1 1  has  lately  had  to  weather  a  severe  ntorm  ;  but  under  the 
able  guiding  hand  of  John  Boyle  O'Reilly,  its  future  is  not 
doubtful. 

llie  New  Yorli,  Freemari's  Journal  was  estal)lished  in 
the  summer  of  1840,  by  James  W.  and  John  E.  White, 
nephews  of  Gerald  GritHn,  the  famous  Ii-ish  writer.     Two 

*  Rev.  J.  M.  Finotti  in  The  (Jathollv,  Record. 
35 


# 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


":  m 

■  m 

.i  m 


25 


1^ 

2.0 


1.8 


1.25      1.4 

1.6 

•• 6"     — 

► 

^ 


7F^ 


<^ 


/}. 


VI 


cfj 


m 


// 


3)1 


s 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


1 


,<■  % 


i 


*. 


:\ 


\ 


546 


Catholicity  in   the   United  States. 


yeai*8  later,  Bisliop  Hughes  became  its  proprietor,  and  in 
1847,  it  passed  into  the  hands  of  James  h .  lleMaster.  Kev. 
James  R.  Bay  ley  (now  Archbishop)  was  editor  during  1846 
and  1847.  At  the  beginning  of  the  civil  war  the  poHcv  of 
the  FreemarC 8  Journal  led  to  the  interference  of  the  (loveiu- 
ment,  and  it  was  suspended  for  several  years.  Y\\  Mc- 
Master  is  a  bold  and  vigorous  writer ;  but  his  judgment  and 
his  prudence  are  not  always  equal  to  his  zeal  and  his  learn- 
ing. 

The  CatJvolic  of  Pittsburg  dates  its  life  from  1844,  when 
it  was  founded  by  the  good  and  gifted  Bishop  O'Connor. 
Its  record  has  been  most  honorable.  "  The  venerable  and 
respected  name  of  Jacob  Porter,"  writes  Eev.  J.  M.  Finotti, 
"  has  been  inseribec^  on  its  editorial  columns  for  many  a  year. 
It  has  never  increased  its  subscription  price ;  it  has  always 
been  a  sterling,  independent,  dignified  Catholic  paper ;  it 
has  not  veered  as'ound  the  four  quarters  of  the  political 
compass.  It  has  followed  the  even  tenor  of  its  life,  and  has 
done  a  great  deal  of  good.  Were  it  not  for  its  sterling 
qualities  it  could  not  have  existed  so  long  without  shifting 
and  trimminsf,  which  it  has  never  done."* 

T/ie  Propcajdteur  Catholique  of  I^ew  Orleans  began  in 
1844.  It  has  reckoned  among  its  contributors  some  of  the 
ablest  men  of  the  South.  Braving  the  storms  of  the  rebel- 
lion, it  still  exists,  and  speaks  to  its  readers  both  in  French 
and  English. 

In  1849,  the  CathoUo  Mirror  of  Baltimore  made  its 
appearance.  It  is  the  last  in  the  list  of  our  veteran  weeklies 
that  have  borne  the  burden  of  the  day  and  the  bnint  of  tlio 
battle  for  over  a  quarter  of  a  century,  without  succnmbiiiL^ 
to  the  wear  and  tear  of  time.  The  Mirror  is  the  official  organ 
of  the  Archbishop  and  Bishops  of  the  ecclesiastical  province 
of  Baltimore. 

In  1852,  Thomas  D'Arcy  McGee  established  the  Amer- 
ican Celty  whicJi  live  years  subsequently,  he  sold  to  Messrs. 


*  The  Catholic  Record. 


Catholic  Journalism  in  the  United  Stages.  547 

D.  ife  J.  Sadlier  &  Co.  These  gentlemen  continrod  the 
paper  under  a  new  name — The  New  York  Tablet .  With 
such  able  contributors  as  Dr.  Brownson,  Mi's.  J.  Sadlier, 
Dr.  J.  V.  Huntington,  and  others,  it  soon  obtained  a  wide 
reputation  as  a  sound  exponent  of  Catholic  principles,  and  a 
journal  of  high  literary  merit.  It  still  keeps  the  field,  and 
])ravely  comes  up  to  its  work  with  undiminished  vigor. 

The  Ave  Maria  was  founded  in  May,  18G5,  by  the  V. 
Kev.  Edward  Sorin,  C.S.C.,  at  Notre  Dame,  Indiana.  This 
is  the  first  periodical  established  in  the  Ts'ew  World  in  the 
interests  of  the  Blessed  Virgin.  Its  circulation,  we  believe, 
is  about  Y,000.  It  is  edited  by  a  priest  of  the  Congregation 
of  the  Holy  Cross,  and  is  printed  by  religious  of  the  same. 
In  1800,  The  Ave  Maria  received  the  approbation  of 
Pius  IX. 

During  the  last  decade  between  twenty  and  thirty 
Catholic  newspapers  have  entered  the  journalistic  field. 
Our  limited  space  will  permit  us  to  notice  but  a  few  of  the 
more  representative  of  these.  The  Catholic  Standard  of 
Philadelphia  was  started,  in  180(5,  by  Wm.  Pepper  &,  Co., 
under  tiie  editorship  of  Ilev.  James  Keogh,  D.D.  After 
various  (,'hauges,  it  was  purchased  by  its  present  proprietors, 
Messrs.  Hardy  &  Mahony,  in  1874.  It  is  now  edited  by 
(reorge  Dering  Wolff,  a  ri])e  scholar  and  finished  journalist. 
The  Standard  is  one  of  the  largest  and  most  influential 
papers  in  the  country. 

The  New  Orleans  J/onmi<7  /i^tor  was  founded  ia  1868, 
by  the  Catholic  Publication  Company,  of  which  Archbishop 
Perche  is  president.  The  chief  writers  for  this  paper  have 
been  N.  B.  Lancaster,  a  distinguished  lawyer  of  New 
Orleans,  and  one  who  is  connected  by  close  family  ties  to 
the  ISpaldings  of  Kentucky  ;  Eight  Kev.  Dr.  Elder,  Bishop 
of  Natchez  ;  and  Kev.  A.  J.  Ryan,  the  eminent  priest,  poet, 
and  orator.  It  is  under  the  editorial  management  of 
Thomas  G.  Rapier.  The  Morning  Star  is  one  of  th'j  most 
widely  knowii  of  the  Southern  journals.  .It  has  effected 
much  good  among  the  faithful,  uniting  them  more  closeiy 
in  all  respects. 


54^  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

The  Louisville  Catholic  Advocate  was  founded  in  1 809 
by  several  Catholic  gentlemen  who  had  at  heart  the  in- 
terests of  the  Church.    It  is  the  third  attempt  at  establish- 
ing a  Catholic  journal  in  that  diocese. 

The  Irish  World  was  founded  by  Patrick  Ford  in 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  in  the  fall  of  1 870.  By  the  energy  and 
ability  of  its  managers  it  rapidly  rose  in  power  and  circu- 
lation. It  has  been  a  fearless  advocate  of  the  Irish  race, 
while  at  the  same  time  it  professes  Catholic  principles. 
Patrick  Ford,  the  editor  and  proprietor,  is  a  native  of 
Ireland,  came  to  this  country  when  a  child,  and  received 
his  education  at  Boston,  Mass.  He  is  a  bom  thinker,  a 
man  of  singularly  simple  life,  original  views,  inflexible 
principles,  and  great  tenacity  of  pui-pose.  As  a  writer,  he 
wields  a  pen  of  no  common  power,  and  excels  in  what  the 
French  call  the  style  coupe.  Among  other  writers  of  this 
journal  are  Thomas  Mooney,  the  historian,  William  Collins, 
the  poet,  and  J.  J.  Clancy.  While  the  general  course  of  the 
Irish  World  has  been  praiseworthy,  bold,  and  brilliant,  it  may 
be  proper  to  iidd,  that  the  prudence  of  some  of  its  more 
recent  views,  in  regard  to  several  matters  of  high  impor- 
tance, has  been  questioned  by  many  whose  opinions  are 
entitled  to  respect. 

The  Catholic  Meview  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  was  founded 
in  the  spring  of  1872.  It  has  been  edited  from  the  begin- 
ning, with  much  ability,  by  Patrick  V.  Hickey,  a  native  of 
Ireland,  and  a  graduate  of  the  Catholic  University  of  Dublin. 
Among  the  most  notable  Catholic  weeklies  that  have  made 
their  appearance  during  the  last  three  years  are  the  CatlwUc 
Temperance  Ahstinence  Union  of  New  York,  founded  by 
J.  W.  O'Biien  and  J.  O'Mahony ;  the  Catholic  Universe 
t»f  Cleveland,  founded  by  Bishop  Gilmour ;  the  Chimgo 
Pilot,  founded  by  M.  J.  CahiU ;  and  the  CathoUc  Columbian, 
founded  by  Bishop  Rosecrans  of  Columbus,  Ohio.  Nor 
must  we  forget  to  name  two  of  our  lively  college  jounjals— 
the  Hotre  Dam,e»  Scholastic  and  the  Niagara  Index. 


Catholic  Journalism  in  the  United  States,  549 


THE  CATHOLIC  PRE88  OF  CANADA. 

The  Montreal  Trite  Witness  is  the  veteran  Catholic  paper 
of  Canada.  It  was  founded  in  the  summer  of  1850,  by  the 
late  George  E.  Clerk,  to  answer  the  attacks  of  the  Prot- 
estant papers,  particularly  those  of  the  WiMess,  a  bigoted 
daily  journal  of  Montreal.  The  Tnie  Witness  was  the  firet 
Catholic  paper  ever  published  in  our  language  in  Canada.* 
Mr.  Clerk  was  a  true  and  able  champion  of  Catholicity. 
The  present  editor  is  Rev.  A.  J.  O'Reilly,  D.D.,  a  noted 
writer  in  the  field  of  fiction. 

7%e  Morning  Freeman  of  St.  John,  N.  B.,  is  a  sterling 
journal.  Its  founder  and  editor  is  Hon.  Timothy  W. 
Anglin,  Speaker  of  the  Canadian  House  of  Parliament. 

TKe  Irish  Canadian  of  Toronto  comes  next  in  point 
of  time.  It  was  founded  in  1863,  by  Patrick  Boyle,  who 
has  ever  since  guided  its  destinies  as  editor  and  proprietor. 
Though  its  career  has  been  eventful,  it  has  not  been  without 
honor  and  success. 

The  Tribune^  Toronto,  Ontario,  was  established  in  1874, 
by  Troy  <fe  Co.  For  a  strictly  Catholic  journal  its  success 
has  been  very  creditable.     It  is  edited  by  J.  L.  Troy. 

THK   CATHOLIC   MAGAZINES   OF   THE    UNITED   STATES. 

The  magazine  is  a  monthly  periodical.  Both  in  the 
amount  and  character  of  its  matter  it  holds  a  middle  place 
between  the  weekly  paper  and  the  quarterly  review.  The 
earliest  Catholic  publication  of  this  nature  was  The  Globe 
of  Kew  York,  which  began  in  1819,  and  was  edited 
by  Thomas  O'Conor.  "  Ireland  and  Catholicity,"  writes 
Charles  O'Conor,  "  were  its  leading  topics.  It  lasted  about 
a  year,"t  The  Shepherd  of  tfie  Valley^  published  in  St. 
Louis,  w'as  a  respectable  Catholic  monthly.  It  began  in 
1832,  and  was  issued  for  six  years.  * 

'he  United  States  Catholic  Magazine  was  established  at 


nn 


*  Letter  of  Mr.  John  Gillies  to  the  author. 

t  Letter  in  "  Bibliographia  Catholica  Americana." 


WM 


m  ' 


MM 


llii;!;: 


« i; 


m^-l 


w 


14-I1 


550  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

Baltimore  in  1842.  It  may  be  regarded  as  our  first  really 
able  Catholic  magazine.  lie  who  possesses  its  nuinber.s  from 
1842  till  f849,  when  it  ceased  publication,  has  a  mine  rich 
in  intellectual  wealth.  Opening  a  bound  volume  we  re;i(l 
on  the  title-page :  "  The  official  organ  of  the  Most  Aiax. 
Archbishop  of  Baltimore,  and  the  Itt.  Jtev.  Bisliop  of  Kich- 
mond  ;  and  published  with  the  approbation  of  the  lit.  Rev. 
Bishops  of  the  United  States.  Edited  by  Rev.  Charles  I. 
AVhite,  D.D.,  and  V.  Eev.  M.  J.  Spalding,  I). I)."  Its  best 
articles  were  from  the  pens  of  the  editors,  and  such  con- 
tributors as  B.  U.  Campbell,  Eev.  Dr.  Pise,  James  Mc- 
Sherry,  James  Wynne,  M.D.,  Mrs.  A.  H.  Dorsey,  and  J.  G. 
Shea.  The  Catholic  Magazine  was  published  by  John 
Murphy.  Scattered  through  its  pages  are  steel  engravings 
far  8ui*pa8sing  anything  we  can  meet  in  similar  publications 
of  to-day.  Take  up,  for  instance,  Vol.  III.,  and  look  at 
that  frontispiece — a  picture  of  Archbishop  Carroll.  It  is 
by  far  the  best  we  have  ever  seen. 

In  1853,  The  Metropolitan  oi  Baltimore  began  its  career. 
It  had  an  existence  of  six  years.  During  the  first  year  it 
was  edited  by  "  a  clergyman  " ;  during  the  second  year,  by 
Dr.  J.  V.  Huntington ;  then,  for  three  years  by  a  "  com- 
mittee of  literary  gentlemen " ;  and  during  its  last  yeai 
(1858)  by  M.  J.  Kemey,  A.M.,  author  of  "Compendium 
of  History,"  and  other  works.  The  Metropolitan  was  less 
solid,  lighter  and  more  readable  than  the  U.  S.  Catholie 
Magazine.  I  never  feel  greater  literary  enjoyment  than 
when  looking  over  its  bright  and  sparkling  pages.  Ir  was 
owned  and  published  by  John  Murphy,  a  gentleman  to 
whom  American  Catholic  literature  is  much  indebted. 

The  Catholic  World  of  New  York  was  founded  in  the 
spring  of  1865,  by  the  V.  Eev.  I.  T.  Hecker,  C.S.P.  It  has 
receivedJ;he  approbation  of  Pius  IX.  and  Cardinal  Mc- 
Closkey.  At  first  it  was  an  eclectic,  but  it  is  now  wholly 
composed  of  original  articles,  with  the  exception  of  oeca- 
sion:il  translations.  It  numbers  among  its  contributors  some 
of  the  ablest  Catholic  writers  in  America  and  Europe.    Dr. 


Catholic  yoiirnalism  in  the  United  States.    551 


Brownson,  Col.  Meline,  Dr.  Clarke,  Father  Ilecker,  Father 
Hewit,  Father  de  Concilio,  Father  Spalding,  Miss  Tinker, 
Aubrey  de  Vere,  and  others,  have  enriched  its  pages  with 
their  able  productions,  in  prose  and  verse,  theology  and 
philosophy,  fact  and  fiction,  history  and  romance.  In  age 
and  rank  The  Catholic  World  standa  at  the  head  A  our 


magaznics. 


The  Messenger  of  the  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus  was  founded 
at  Woodstock,  Md.,  in  1866,  by  Rev.  B.  Sestini,  S.J.  Its 
object  is  to  promote  the  Association  of  the  Apostleship  of 
prayer,  and  devotion  to  the  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus.  Father 
Sestini  h  is  been  its  onlv  editor. 

Th&  Manhattan  Monthly  of  New  York,  under  another 
name  {The  de  la  Salle  Monthly),  was  founded  in  1867.  Its 
contents  are  generally  light  and  pleasing.  The  present 
editor,  John  Savage,  LL.D.,  has  succeeded  in  making  it  a 
high-toned  and  successful  periodical. 

The  Young  Crusader,  a  meritorious  juvenile  Catholic 
monthly,  made  its  appearancf.  in  Boston,  in  1868.  It  has 
been  very  fortunate  in  its  sphere  of  usefulness.  Rev. 
William  Byrne  is  the  founder  and  editor. 

The  Catholic  Record  of  Philadelphia  was  established  in 
1871,  by  its  present  editors  a:id  proprietors,  Hardy  and 
Maliony.  From  the  first  it  met  with  marked  success.  It 
is  strictly  Catholic.  From  the  varied  and  interesting  nature 
of  its  articles  it  much  resembles  The  Metropolitan  of  twenty 
years  ago.  The  V.  Rev.  Patrick  E.  Moriarty,  D.D.,  O.S. A., 
a  true  priest  and  a  true  man,  who  has  lately  gone  to  his 
reward,  was  a  venerable  contributor  to  its  pages.  Among 
its  other  writers  of  note  are  :  Hon.  Joseph  R.  Chandler, 
Kev.  J.  M.  Finotti,  Rev.  J.  V.  O'Connor,  and  Dr.  J.  J. 
Barry. 

The  Central  Magazine  of"  St.  Louis  was  founded  in  1872, 
by  Miss  Mary  Nolan,  who  has  since  been  its  editor  and  pro- 
prietor. It  is  an  illustrated  periodical,  entirely  the  work  of 
women.  There  are  several  other  Catholic  monthly  period- 
icals of  lesser  note,  but  want  of  space  compels  us  to  stop 
here. 


ii;^i 


i'  I 

i!' 


552  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


THE   CATHOLIC   QUARTEBLIES. 

We  have  had  but  two  Quarterly  Reviews,  and  so  their 
story  is  not  long.  On  Dr.  Brownson's  becoming  a  Catholic 
in  1844,  he  immediately  turned  the  service  of  his  Jiemew 
to  the  defense  of  Catholicity.  For  twenty  years  he  was  the 
most  bold  and  powerful  lay  champion  of  the  Faith  in 
America.  Single-lianded  he  fought  his  battles,  and  victory 
generally  perched  oti  his  standard.  He  was  a  giant — a  legion 
in  himself.  Various  circumstances  led  to  the  suspension  of 
BrovmsorCa  Review  in  1864.  It  was  revived  in  1873,  and 
for  two  years  more,  the  veteran  chief  of  American  Catholic 
letters  taught  the  teachable,  confronted  error,  clove  tough 
skulls,  and  laid  down  the  sword  only  when  age  pointed  to 
the  tomb.  "  When  Dr.  Brownson  and  all  of  us  shall  be 
consigned  to  the  dust,"  wrote  Archbishop  Hughes,  "  those 
who  are  to  succeed  us  will  go  forth  among  the  pages  of  his 
Catholic  Review^  '  prospecting,'  as  they  say  in  California, 
for  the  best  '  diggings.'  Nor  will  they  be  disappointed,  if 
they  have  tact  and  talent  for  profound,  philosophical,  liter- 
ary, and  religions  mining !  " 

The  first  number  of  The  American  Catholic  Quarterly 
Review  of  Philadelphia  was  issued  by  Hardy  and  Mahony 
in  January,  1876.  Its  articles  are  productions  of  high  merit. 
More  than  once  have  they  been  quoted  in  the  preceding 
pages.  This  Review  is  under  the  chief  editorial  manage- 
ment of  V.  Rev.  James  A.  Corcoran,  D.D.,  the  distinguished 
theologian.     Its  history  belongs  to  the  future. 

This  is,  emphatically,  the  age  of  journalism.  The  time 
when  orators  swayed  public  sentiment  is  past.  We  have 
no  longer  a  Demosthenes,  a  Burke,  an  O'Connell,  or  a  Web- 
ster, because  we  have  newspapers.  "  The  press,''  says 
Bahnes,  "is  but  speech  in  a  new  form.  It  is  a  voice  which 
is  distinguished  from  the  common  voice  in  this,  that  it 
sounds  abroad,  that  it  is  heard  by  a  larger  audience,  that  it 
rings  through  the  world  with  increased  force  and  rapidity, 
and  that,  in  fine,  it  is  perpetuated  by  an  indelible  stamp."  It 


Catholic  Joiirnalism  in  the  United  States,  553 

lias  often  been  said  that  the  prens  is  a  mighty  power — the 
modern  lever  that  moves  the  world.  Doubtless  it  has  been 
abused  ;  but  what  is  it  that  man  docs  not  abuse  ?  Let  us 
never  confound  abuse  with  use ;  if  it  were  necessary  to  de- 
stroy the  latter  to  restrain  the  former  but  little  would  re- 
nijiin  to  us  rm  the  face  of  the  earth  !  An  immoral,  unprin- 
cipled joumvl  is  capable  of  doing  a  vast  amount  of  evil.  A 
good  one  does  the  work  of  a  score  of  missionaries.  We  can 
almost  tell  the  moral  tone  and  character  of  a  family  by 
knowing  what  journal  or  journals  its  members  patronize.  A 
newspaper  is  an  intellectual  bill  of  fare.  People  seldom  pur- 
raase  that  which  displeases  them.  Woe  to  the  0atl:3lic 
parents  who  allow  questionable  newspapers  to  enter  their 
doors — to  corrupt  the  purity  of  their  children's  niind.s.  There 
is  not  a  daily  jxt'P^  in  the  United  States  jU  for  a  Catholic 
child  to  read  !  Do  not  think  this  is  said  at  random.  It  is 
a  grave  assertion  ;  but  it  could  be  as  easily  proved  as  said. 
Assailed  as  faith  and  morality  are  in  this  Republic,  a  power- 
ful Catholic  press  is,  under  God,  one  of  our  very  greatest 
protections.  While  it  is  an  act  of  virtue  to  defend  the 
truth,  it  is  an  act  of  duty  and  virtue  for  all  Catholics  to 
patronize  their  own  jounials. 

The  Catholic  press  of  America  has  been  little  more  than 
half  a  century  in  existence.  As  a  whole,  its  career  has  been 
honorable  and  high-toned ;  but,  of  course,  it  had  its  short- 
comings. It  is  human ;  and  to  err  is  human.  We  even 
presume  to  point  out  some  things  which,  in  our  opinion, 
admit  of  improvement.  (1)  With  some  honorable  excep- 
tions^ Catholic  papers  might  he  made  more  interesting. 
Brief,  lively  editorials,  written  in  short,  pointed  sentences, 
together  with  a  elioii'e  selection  of  news,  fuu,  fact,  and 
tic'tion — this  is  the  whole  seeret.  (2)  With  Tnany  Catho- 
lic papers  literary  criticism  may  he  numhered  with 
the  lost  arts.  True  criticism,  in  the  words  of  Matthew 
Arnold,  is  to  see  things  as  they  really  are.  \X»  higher  wis- 
dom is  the  capacity  to  admire.  But  the  man  who  can  only 
praise  is  unfit  for  the  office  of  critic.     Fulsome  flattery  is 


\ 


.  ■» 

1 

r   '       'i 

''■|||S''    ii 

■':iffl;!!;fi'J 

*s  i 

? 

'     mH'' '''  H 

i'  :  i^Mi: 

,  • 

t;;  119 


■  f^i  I'! 


vi 

N 

y  1 

■  f,       ; 
'  ■     .  i 

■-  'i'v 

■"^mmmim 


554  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

even  below  acute  nonsense.  Neither  is  haireplittinj;^  i-riti- 
cism.  The  editor  wlio  can  crow  over  one  gi-aniniatical  error 
in  a  raeritorions  book,  while  he  is  blind  to  everything  else 
is,  indeed,  to  l)C  pitied.  Hut  this  is  not  the  prevailing  fault. 
One  of  the  largest  Catholic  publishers  in  this  country  lately 
said  to  the  writer:  "  The  way  in  which  many  Catholic  nuw.s- 
papers  get  up  their  book -notices  is  so  much  nonsense — stujiid 
humbug  I  It's  always  the  same  old  song,  '  such  a  book  is  :i 
good  book— it  should  be  in  every  Catholic  family.'  "  This 
was  the  language  of  a  shrewd,  scholarly  business-man. 
"  The  critic*e  position,"  remarks  a  thoughtful  writer,  "  is  a 
uoble  one ;  "it  is  also  a  responsible  one.  He  ought  to  be  the 
faithful  sentinel  and  servant  of  humanity,  ever  on  the  look- 
out, ever  quick  t")  report  the  signs  of  the  times  and  the  spirit 
that  actuates  a  work,  fearless  in  exposing  shame,  just  in  his 
estimates,  and  at  all  times  truthful."*  (3)  The  course  of 
some  journals  tends  to  disturb  the  harmony  which  should 
exist  between  the  Catholics  of  the  United  States^  to  dimm- 
ish the  respect  which  Catholics  should  ever  entertain  for 
their  spiritual  guides,  the  clergy.  "  Blessed  are  the  peace- 
makers,'' said  the  greatest  of  Teachers.  Unhappily,  some 
newspapers  appear  to  know  better.  But,  thank  God,  their 
number  is  few.  The  Catholic  jounial,  however,  which 
would  by  its  insinuations,  or  its  teachings,  tend  to  diminish 
the  deep  respect  which  Catholics  should  ever  entertain  for 
their  clergy,  would  be  doing  the  work  of  Judas,  kisding 
Truth  while  it  is  only  betraying  it.  Such  a  journal  has  num- 
bered the  days  of  its  usefulness.  Mildly  speaking,  its  editoc- 
plays  the  scoundrel.  He  is  a  sower  of  discord ;  and  not  be- 
ing with  the  Church,  he  must  be  against  it.  The  Catholic 
journalist  leaves  his  proper  sphere  when  he  presumes  to 
dictate  to  the  divinely-appointed  rulers  of  the  Church. 
To  those  cockle-sowing  writers  we  would  say :  "  You 
misunderstand  your  true  mission.  Hands  off  1  Mind  your 
own  business." 

As  a  body,  however,  our  editors  are  sound,  learned,  loyal, 

*  "Essay  on  a  Philosophy  of  Literature." 


Catholic  Journalism  in  the  United  States.  555 

larji^e-lioartcd  Catliolies.  And  well  they  may  be  so  1  Theirs  is 
li  ^'rantl  ami  responsible  position.  They  are  the  sentinels  of 
Tiutii— tlie  defenders  of  the  Faith.  "  The  Catholic  eilitor," 
says  u  dlHtinguished  French  prelate,  "has  to  iight  on  tho 
wliole  line  ;  now  with  an  infidel,  next  with  a  rabid  secretary  ; 
now  to  rebut  sophistry,  then  to  rebuke  slander;  here  to  cor- 
ivct  misstatements,  there  to  remove  false  impressions  or  dis- 
arm prejudice.  He  has  to  fight  on  the  philosophical  as  well 
as  the  theological  ground ;  an  attack  is  uo  sooner  repelled 
tlian  another  has  to  be  ^aced;  a  falsehood  is  no  sooner  con- 
futed than,  mushroomlike,  it  springs  up  again  in  some  cor- 
ner; it  spreads  far  and  wide,  and,  by  dint  of  being  called 
the  truth,  it  ends  with  being  accepted  as  such." 

Such  being  the  difficulties  of  his  position,  it  is  not  rash  to 
assert  that  the  Catholic  editor  can  never  possess  an  overstock 
of  virtue,  learning  and  prudence.  To  come  up  to  the  de- 
mands of  his  duties  he  should  be — 

"  Unbiased,  or  by  favor,  or  by  spite; 
Not  duly  prepossessed,  nor  blindly  right; 
Though  learned,  well-bred ;  and  though  well-bred,  sincere ; 
Modestly  bold  and  humanly  severe  ; 
Who  to  a  friend  his  faults  can  show, 
And  gladly  praise  the  merit  of  a  foe." 

The  following  list  contains  the  names  of  50  periodicals. 
There  are  now  about  40  Catholic  periodicals  in  the  United 
States.  There  are  Catholic  papers  published  in  the  German, 
French,  Spanish,  Italian,  and  Polish  languages.  Many 
Catholic  journals  even  in  our  own  language  are  omitted  in 
this  table,  which,  it  must  be  understood,  is  not  complete. 


1 

1 

Iri;' 

if' 

i 

iilii 

:i''lll 


:!■.  '  ' 


556  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


TABIE  OF   AMERICAN   f'ATllOLIC   PERIODICALS. 

(1815—1876.) 


WBBKLI18. 


NAMB. 


PLAOB. 


The  Shiimrock 

TIh!  U.  8.  Catholic  Miscellany. . . . 

The  Trutlj  Toller 

Tlic  U.  S.  CutlioUc  Froo  Press. . . 

The  Catholic  Diary 

The  Catholic  Herald 

The  Green  banner 

The  Catholic  Advocate 

The  Pilot  

The  Freeman*a  Joumul 

The  Catholic  Youth's  Magazine.. 

The  PropojQfateur  Cathollque 

The  Catholic  

The  Catholic  News  Letter 

The  Catholic  Observer 

The  Catholic  Mirror    .  

The  Catholic  Weekly  Instructor. 

The  Western  Tablet 

The  A  inerlcan  Celt 

The  Catholic  Vindicator 

The  Sentinel 

The  Tablet 

The  Ave  Maria 

The  Catholic  Stamlurd 

The  Nijrth-westerii  Chronicle 

The  Morning  Star 

The  Catholic  Advocate 

The  Catholic  Sentinel 

The  Irish  World 

The  Catholic  Vindicator 

The  Catholic  Review 

The  Catholic  Temp.  Ab.  Union . . 

The  Review.. 

The  Catholic  Universe 

The  Catholic  Coluinblao  

The  Chicago  Pilot  


New  York 

Charl(>flt4)n,  8.  C. 

New  York 

Hartford 

New  York  

Philadelphia 

New  York 

Lonlsvllle 

Boston 

New  York 

New  York 

New  Orleans.. .. 

Pittsburg 

St.  Louis 

Uoston , 

Raltiinoro 

Philadelphiu 

Chicago 

Buffalo 

Detroit 

Buffalo 

New  York 

Notre  Dame 

Philadelphia 

St.  Paul 

New  Orleans 

Louisville , 

Portland 

New  York 

Milwaukee 

Brooklyn 

New  York 

Toledo 

Cleveland 

Columbus 

Chicago 


Begun. 
il8l6*^ 

i8ai» 
istt* 

l8i-7 

IS-'.O 

1841» 

1H4-J 

\Wk 

1H4»)* 

1847* 

1H41» 

la'iO* 

18.')2* 

18.'.2# 

185:.'* 

1K".:}» 

1«57 

18(15 

18(ii'> 

1H66 

18ti7 

i»r.» 

I8vi'» 
INTO 
1870 
1872 
1873 
1873 
1874 
1874 
1874 


MOMTHLfBS. 


The  Globe I  New  York i  1819* 

The  Metropolitan jBaltimore |  1830* 

The  Shepherd  (if  the  Valley St.  Louis i  183:.'* 

The  Catholic  Expositor [New  York ; . . .   !  1842* 


The  United  States  Catholic  Magazine. 

The  Catholic  Cabinet 

The  Metropolitan 

The  Catholic  World 

The  Messeiifrer  of  the  Sacred  Heart — 

Tho  Miinhattau  Monthly  

The  Younfj  Crusader 


Baltimore ;  IW:.'^ 

St.  Louis 1843* 

Baltimore law* 

New  York 18«)5 

Woodstock IHCC 

New  York ..  18(57 

Boston 1808 


Tlie  Cath :)ile  Record Philadelphia 1871 

The  Central  Magazine ISt.  Louis 18?J 

QCARTERLIEB. 

....  iBoston 1  1845* 

....  IPhlladelphia  !  1876 


Brownson'B  Review 

Thd  American  Catholic  Review 


*  Censed  publication. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

TUB   CATHOLIC    PUBLISHERS    OF   THE    UNITED   HTATES.* 

"  Tho  art  of  printing  was  invented  for  tlie  |.'lory  of  God,  the  propaMation  of  uitr  holy 
Faitii,  and  the  advancement  of  Icnowledge."— PoPit  Lko  X. 

CATIIDLICS      AND     FIllNTINd  —  AMEUICAN    CATOOLIC      PUDLlBilKUS     OP 

rniKAUKia'iiiA  —  nkw  yohk  —  ualtimoue — Boston  — concmjdino 

llBNfAllKS. 

We  have  already  remarked  that  printing  is  a  Catholij 
invention.  It  was  everywhere  fostered  in  its  infatu-y  by 
the  Church.  ]>efore  Protestantism  appeared  in  the  svorld, 
the  Jiiblo  was  priM<-«  \  in  the  vernaf.'uiar  of  all  the  nation, 
of  Europe.  The  Catholic  S utenbcrg  printed  the  first  iJibJe 
in  Germany.  The  Catholic  Caxton  printed  the  first  book 
in  English.  It  was  the  "  History  of  Troy,"  issued  in  1471. 
The  first  American  book  was  printed  in  a  convent  in 
Mexico. 

Towards  the  growth  and  progress  of  religion  in  the  United 
States,  our  Catholic  publishers  have  contributed  their  share. 
Their  influence  has  been  for  good.  We  bear  cheerful  testi- 
mony to  the  fact.  The  chief  centres  of  Catholic  publication 
have  been  New  York,  Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  and  Boston. 

PHILADELPHIA. 

First  in  the  order  of  time,  comes  the  "Cicy  of  Brotherly 
Love,"  or  as  it  will  be  called  in  future,  the  "  Centennial 


♦  Authorities :  * '  Bibliographia  Catholica  Americana, "  by  Rev. 
J.  M.  Finotti.  "  Historj'  of  the  Catliolic  Church  in  Now  York," 
by  Rev.  .J.  R.  Bayley  (now  Archbishop ) ;  Tfie  Metropolitan,  and 
other  sources. 

f557) 


il "'  ' 


'fij 

k'^ 

558  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

City."  licforc  tlie  Kevoliition  a  few  Catholic  books  were 
quietly  printed  there,  such  as  "  The  Garden  of  the  ISoiil  " 
"  Following  of  Christ,"  etc.  Some,  apparently,  were  kept 
for  sale  near  old  St.  Joseph's.  A  gentleman  of  one  of  our 
earliest  Catholic  families  has  a  c  )py  of  Bossuet's  "Ex- 
position," printed  at  London  in  1735,  in  which  his  great 
grandfather  had  written  :  "  Obtained  in  Philadel.,  Xov.  28 
1 76(1,  tliis  book." 

In  1784,  the  year  after  the  independence  of  the  United 
States  was  acknowledged,  "C.  Talbot,  late  of  Dublin 
Printer  and  Bookseller,"  issued  an  edition  of  Keeve'.s 
"  History  of  the  Bible."  He  appears  to  have  been  Wxajirnt 
Catholic  publisher  in  the  United  States.  T.  Lloyd,  another 
pul)liRher  and  bookseller,  issued  a  Catholic  book  in  1789. 
These  were  but  feeble  efforts  to  supply  the  wants  of  Catho- 
lics, compared  to  the  operations  of  Matthew  Carey,  who 
published  a  quarto  Catholic  Bible  in  1790,  aTi-i  another  in 
1805,  and  for  nearly  twenty  years  issued  a  large  number  of 
pi-aycr-books,  catechisms,  and  controversial  and  devotional 
works. 

About  1820,  Eugene  Cummisky  established  his  houi-e. 
"  Ho  was  the  most  eminent  Catholic  publisher,''  writes 
11  enuessy,  "  in  the  country  for  twenty  years."  The  pub- 
lishing houses  of  P.  F.  Cunningham  and  Henry  McGratli 
followed.  One  of  the  latest  and  most  enterprising  Catholic 
establishments  in  Philadelphia  is  that  of  Hardy  and  Mahony, 
the  publishers  of  the  Catholic  Standard,  Catholic  Record, 
and  the  new  American  Catholic  Quarterly  Review. 


NEW   YOKK   CITY. 

In  1805,  Bernard  Dornin  issued  an  edition  of  the  "  Xew 
Testament,"  perhaps  the  fiiist  Catholic  book  printed  in  the 
city.  Dornin  was  a  most  worthy  man,  who  removed  fi-oin 
Dublin  to  this  country  in  1803.  He  left  Ireland  in  conse- 
quence of  his  political  opinions.  In  1S07,  he  publishiHl 
Pastorini's  "  History  of  the  Church."  He  was  then  a 
bookseller  at    No.  136  Pearl  street;  but   he   subsequently 


Catholic  Publishers  of  the  United  States.   559 

carried  on  the  business  in  Baltimore  and  Philadelphia. 
''Mr.  Doniin,"  writes  Rev.  J.  M.  Finotti,  " enjoyed  the 
w^irm  friendship  of  Archbishop  Carroll  and  his  successors, 
including  Dr.  Ken  rick.  He  was  esteemed  an  excellent 
writer,  highly  educated,  gifted  with  a  fine  memory,  which 
liappily  told  in  literary  and  social  circles.  At  last  he  with- 
drew from  business  and  went  to  Ohio,  to  reside  near  his 
daughters,  and  died  in  1836,  ui;ed  75  years."^ 

After  Dornin's  departure  from  New  York,  some  Catholic 
works  were  printed,  evidently  tlirou^li  th:  exertions  of  the 
clergy,  and  these  generally  bear  »  nly  the  printer's  name. 
A  "  Catechism  on  the  Foundation  uf  the  Christian  Faith," 
in  1811;  "Man's  Only  Aif air ";  Gahan's  "  History  of  the 
Church,''  etc.,  by  J.  Seymour,  in  1814;  Rev.  Mr.  Taylor's 
"  Prayer-Book,"  "  The  Christian  Monitor,"  and  Paison's 
"  Christian  Directoiy,"  by  John  Harris,  in  1820,  were  the 
principal  works  issued. 

Jn  1817,  :Matthew  Field  published  "  Tiie  Catholic  Laity's 
Directory  and  Almanac,"  and  announced  not  only  Challoner's 
"  Flowers  of  the  lives  of  the  Saints,"  but  also  a  Cathol'iG 
Mayazhie,  l»eing  thus  the  pioneer  as  a  projector  of  (catholic 
pei'iodical  literature.  His  daughter.  Miss  Kate  Field,  is  a 
well-known  and  popular  writer.f 

A  second  "  Catholic  Almanac  "  was  issued  in  1822.  About 
a  year  subsequently,  John  Doyle  began  to  publish  Catholic 
works.  In  1833,  he  ])ublished  the^Vs^  New  York  Catholic 
Bible;  and  continued  until  183C  to  issue  prayer-books,  con- 
troversial and  other  religious  works.  James  Ryan,  an 
eminent  teacher  and  mathematician,  conducted  a  Catholic 
book-store   on   Broadway,    and    ])ul)lished   some    religious 


■NV  writer  in  tho  "History  of  the  Catholic  Church  on  Now 
York  Island,"  says  that  he  died  at  Philadelphia,  in  1823.  This 
is  doubtlosis  a  mistake,  Mr.  Dornin's  son,  Commodore  Thomas 
Aloysius  Dornin,  became  one  of  the  most  distinguished  offlcers 
intlie  Ameriian  Navy. 

t  Mr.  Fii'ld  died  in  naitimoro  about  IS.32(>'^  His  daughter, 
thougii  ]>;ii)tizetl  a  Catljolic,  has  no  determined  religion. 


if!):;: 


"Tfllff 

fffini 

d 

.-   .  '-.i- 

l( 

.  .i'. 

I; 

...               y 

: 

iiuiiii- 

560  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

works,  including  a  fine  prayer-book  — "  The  Catholic 
Manual."  At  a  later  date,  Patrick  S.  Casserley  entered  the 
publishing  business,  and  issued  a  few  works.  Occasional 
publishing  was  also  done  by  Owen  Phelan,  Patrick  Kav- 
anagh,  J.  Kennedy,  and  Robert  Coddington.  The  last- 
named  gentleman  is  still  in  the  business  as  a  bookseller,  and, 
from  time  to  time,  appears  as  a  publisher. 

About  the  date  that  John  Doyle  retired,  Edward  Dunigan, 
a  man  of  refined  taste  and  good  judgment,  issued  the  ••■  Ursu- 
line  Manual,"  and  "  Flowers  of  Piety,"  with  an  elegance  of 
typography,  illustration,  and  binding,  that  far  surpassed  any- 
thing yet  ^.ffered  to  the  Catholic  public.  His  publications 
afterwards  embraced  a  beautiful  edition  of  Ilaydock's  Bible, 
a  fine  octavo  Bible,  and  standard  books,  as  well  as  works  for 
the  young — all  of  which  fully  sustained  his  early  reputation. 
He  also  deserves  high  credit  as  the  first  to  encourage  Catholic 
authors  in  the  United  States,  issuing  fewer  reprints  and 
more  American  books  than  any  earlier  house.  After  the 
death  of  Mr.  Dunigan,  which  occurred  in  1 853,  his  concern 
was  conducted  by  his  half-brother,  James  B.  Kirker,  till  his 
death  in  1868. 

In  18e37,  Dennis  and  James  Sadlier  began  to  issue  Butler's 
"  Lives  of  the  Saints,"  and  a  quarto  Bible  in  parts,  thus 
laying  the  foundation  of  what  is  now,  in  the  words  of  a  late 
writer,  "  the  largest  Catholic  publishing  house  in  this  Ro- 
public."  Besides  their  numerous  general  and  religious 
publications,  they  have  issued  many  works  relating  to 
Ireland.  Among  the  chief  of  these  are  McGee's  "  Popular 
History  of  Ireland  "  ;  McGeoghegan  and  Mitchel's  "  History 
of  Ireland  '' ;  the  Nun  of  Kenmare's  "  Life  of  Daniel  O'Con- 
nell,"  and  Conyngham's  "  Lives  of  the  Irish  Saints."  They 
have  also  published  many  original  works  and  translations  of 
the  gifted  Mrs.  James  Sadlier.  Among  their  most  impor- 
tant religious  and  other  publications  are  Orsini's  "  Life  of 
the  Blessed  Virgin,"  perhaps  the  most  popular  book  ever 
issued  in  the  country  ;  De  Ligny's  "  Life  of  Christ";  Ai- 
taud's  '"'  Livefi  of  the  Popes"  ;  the  "  Metropolitan  Series  of 


8  concern 


Catholic  Publishers  of  the  United  States.  561 

Readers,"  and  many  works  used  by  the  Christian  Brothers. 
In  1869,  the  firm  sustained  a  severe  loss  in  the  death  of  Mr. 
James  Sadlier. 

P.  O'Shea  entered  the  publishing  field  in  1854.  By  his 
energy  and  good  management  he  has  succeeded  in  building 
lip  one  of  the  first  Catholic  houses  in  the  country.  The  list 
of  his  own  publications  embraces  325  different  works,  among 
which  are  such  important  productions  as  Darras'  "  General 
History  of  the  Church'' ;"Lingard's  History  of  England  ''; 
the  "  Works "  of  "Wiseman  and  Lacordairc ;  Brownson's 
"  American  Republic  "  ;  and  a  superb  edition  of  the  "  Bible  " 
with  Hay  dock's  and  Challoner's  Notes,  and  illustrations  by 
Dore.      ^ 

Benziger  Brothers,  a  branch  of  a  well-known  German 
house,  began  business  in  New  York,  in  1853.  Besides  their 
New  York  establishment,  they  conduct  houses  in  Cincin- 
nati and  St.  Louis.  They  have  done  much  to  supply  the 
wants  of  German  Catholics ;  and  are  now  issuing  the 
"  Catholic  National  Series  of  Readers  "  in  English. 

The  Catholic  Publication  Society  was  founded  by  Very 
Rcv'.  I.  T.  Ilecker  in  1860.  During  its  ten  years'  existence 
it  has  done  much  to  foster  a  native  Catholic  literature.  It 
publishes  The  Catholic  Worlds  and  a  long  list  of  works, 
amcng  the  chief  of  which  are  the  "  Works  "  of  Archbishop 
Hughes;  "Life  of  Archbishop  Spalding";  Newman's 
"Apologia"  ;  Sister  Clare's  "  History  of  Ireland  "  ;  Father 
Keeker's  books ;  and  the  "  Young  Catholic's  Series  of 
Readers."  Under  the  management  of  Lawrence  Kehoe,  this 
establishment  has  attained  a  high  rank  among  the  Catholic 
publishing  houses. 

The  publishing  houses  of  J.  A.  McGee,  P.  J.  Kenedy, 
F.  Pustet,  Thomas  Kelly,  and  M.  P.  Ilaverty  are  more  recent 
establishments. 


'  '■:r.:.| 


:i  fi:|!.  I 


BALTIMORT!. 


About  1830,  Fielding  Lucas  began  to  issue  Catholic  books 
in  that  city.     His  list  was  soon  the  largest  in  the  country. 
36 


m\\ 


562   -     Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 

The  publication  of  the  "  Catholic  Almanac,"  hQ<ym\  bv  Mr. 
Myers  in  1832,  having  from  1S33  been  issued  bv  Mr.  Lucas 
it  made  his  publications  known  throughout  the  United  IStatcs, 
His  hou^e  rendered  important  services  to  the  Catholic  reli"'- 
icn  end  to  Catholic  literature.  When  Mr.  Lucas  ben-an  his 
publishing  career,  very  few  Catholic  books  had  been  issued 
from  the  American  press.  Tlie  amount  of  capital  required 
in  the  business,  and  the  slow  and  limited  demand  for  such 
books  made  the  enterprise  a  hazardous  one,  and  the  remu- 
neration very  moderate.  But  by  his  praiseworthy  enero-v, 
Catholic  publications  were  multiplied.  His  octavo  edition 
of  the  lloman  Missal — said  to  be  the  iirst  edition  of  that  size 
ever  published — was  executed  in  a  style  of  great  elegance 
and  of  unsui-passed  accuracy.  Mr.  Lucas  was  a  native  of  Vir- 
ginia.    He  died  in  1854:. 

The  well-known  house  of  John  Murphy  &  Co.  was 
founded  in  1837.  It  published  the  United  States  Catholic 
Magazine  (1842-S),  and  in  later  years,  The  Metropoli- 
tan (1853-8).  Mr.  Murphy  was  the  pioneer  in  issuing 
standard  historical  text-books  for  Catholic  institutions  of 
learning.  Fredet's  "  Ancient  and  Modern  Histories,"  and 
Keniey's  "  Compendiuni "  still  retain  their  high  place. 
Among  the  important  publications  of  this  house  are  Arch- 
bishop Spalding's  "Works  ";  Archbishop  Kenrick's  "Works  "; 
McSherry's  "History  of  Maryland";  Kev.  Yiw  White's 
"  Life  of  Mother  Seton  "  ;  Balmes'  "  European  Civilization  " ; 
and  Chateaubriand's  "  Genius  of  Christianity." 

John  Murphy  is  now  nearly  forty  years  in  the  publishing 
business ;  and  duiing  that  period,  our  religion  and  literature 
have  been  largely  benefited  by  his  good  taste  and  Cathohc 
enterprise. 

A  more  recent  house  is  that  of  Kelly,  Piet  &  Co.,  wliich 
was  established  about  1860.  They  publish  the  Catholio 
Mirror,  and  several  works  written  by  American  authors. 


BOSTON. 

Up  to  this  time,  there  has  been  only  one  Catholic  pubHsh- 


Catholic  Publishers  of  the  United  States.  563 


inff  house  of  note  in  Boston — that  of  Patrick  Donahoe. 
About  forty  years  ago  he  opened  an  establishment  which  in 
tlie  course  of  years  became  ])rosperou8  and  well-known.  JIo 
issued  The  Pilot ;  and  among  his  publications  were  such 
important  works  as  McGee's  "  Catholic  History  of  America '' ; 
Fitzpatrick's  "  Life  of  Dr.  Doyle  " ;  Montalembert's  '*  Monks 
of  the  West  "  ;  and  Fitton's  "  History  of  the  Church  in  New 
England."  The  destruction  of  his  fine  establishment  by  the 
great  Boston  fire  was  a  severe  blow  to  Mr.  Donahoe.  Recent 
financial  difficulties  have  obliged  him  to  relinquish  the  pub- 
lication of  The  Pilot.  This  is  to  be  regretted,  as  few  men, 
in  the  publishing  business,  liave  done  more  for  Catholicity 
in  America  than  Patrick  Donahoe. 

Until  near  the  close  of  the  last  century  the  English  penal 
laws  forbade  the  printing,  publishing,  or  reading  of  Catholic 
books.  Is  it  to  be  wondered  at,  that  few  such  works  were 
issued  ?  But  now  all  tins  is  changed.  There  are  about  fifteen 
Catholic  publishing  houses  of  note  in  the  United  States,  and 
at  least  ten  in  the  British  empire.  "  The  number  and  ex- 
cellence of  the  works  published  by  these  twenty-five  houses," 
writes  Rev.  Stephen  Byrne,  O.S.D.,  "  mark  an  era  in  the 
history  of  English  literature."* 

The  Catholic  publishers  of  the  United  States  have  a  noble 
mission  to  fulfill — the  fostering  of  a  native  Catholic  Literor 
ture.  They  stand  the  middlemen  between  authors  and  the 
public  ;  and  a  great  deal  depends  on  their  unselfishness, 
good  taste,  and  enlightened  Catholic  enterprise.  There  is 
much  room  for  improvement.  Of  this  we  are  certain.  Nor 
do  we  know  a  better  time  to  bring  about  this  much  desired 
change,  than  the  Centennial  Year,  in  which  these  words  are 
penned. 

*  •'  Irish  Emigration  to  the  United  States." 


■::i 


>■'■ 

1 

'■\>\ 

iHMh^Miih 

■■■1 

m 

ffi^HI 

B 

'f^TrPf 

% 

II 

iilLiiliii' 

i 

:  111 

II 

"Hei 

view,  t: 
pie."-] 


TUE  C 

Bu: 
no 
Dn, 

LIS 


BOOK   VI. 


I    ii 


CHAPTER  I. 
"multum  in  pakvo."* 

"  Here  the  Irish  and  their  descendants  are  by  all  odds,  and  nnder  every  point  of 
view,  the  purest,  the  best,  and  the  moat  trustworthy  portion  of  the  American  peo- 
pie."— Dn.  O.  A.  Bbownson, 

TUE  CATHOLIC  IRISH  IN  AMERICA— IRELAND'S  MISSION— THE  CHURCH 
BUILDERS  OF  AMERICA — DEEP  CONVICTIONS— EXAMPLES— LOVE  OF 
HOLY  IRELAND  — ST.  THOMAS  AQUINAS — TESTIMONY  OF  MCGEE  AND 
DR.  WHITE — THE  CATHOLIC  GERMANS — FRENCH— SPANIARDS— EN O- 
LI8H— INDIANS — NEGROES— CATHOLIC  CHARITY, 


THE    CATHOLIC    IRISH   IN   AMERICA. 

"  Ireland,"  says  Archbishop  Lynch,  "  has  a  divine  mis- 
5ion."f  All  who  carefully  study  the  history  of  that  won- 
derful Isle  must  come  to  that  conclusion.  In  early  ages,  we 
see  the  light  of  Faith  flash  from  her  shores,  and  illumine 
tlie  dark  regions  of  Britain,  France,  Germany,  and  other 
lands.  GeiTuany  honors  one  hundred  and  fifty-six  Irish 
Baints,  thirty-six  of  whom  were  martyrs,  who  labored,  lived, 
and  died  there.  Forty-live  Irish  saints  find  a  place  in  the 
calendar  of  France.     Belgium  honors  thirty  Irish  saints  ; 

*  Under  this  heading,  I  have  condensed  three  chapters — "  Tho 
Catholic  Irish  in  America,"  '*  Other  Catholic  Races,"  and 
"  Catholic  Charity."  To  give  these  chapters  in  full,  would  swell 
the  volume  beyond  the  limits  intended. 

t  Pastoral  Letter  of  1871. 

(565) 


iiiiif 


566  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

Italy,  tliirtcun  ;  Norway  and  Iceland,  eight— the  latter  all 
niartvrs.* 

Insh  historians  tell  us  the  le^^end  of  St.  Brendan's  vov.ifc 
to  the  Western  World  in  the  liftli  century ;  how  ho  pene- 
trated to  the  Ohio,  and  was  warned  to  return  to  his  native 
Isle,  which  he  did.f  Grave  and  learned  antiquarians  assure 
us  that  nearly  a  thousand  years  ago  the  Irish  planted  a 
colony  on  the  coast  of  North  America,  naming  it  Liand  it 
Mihla,  or  Greater  Ireland.  The  ancient  ruin  at  Newport, 
B.  I.,  they  say,  points  out  the  place.  It  is  clearly  no  Indian 
work.  Some  maintain  that  it  is  the  ruins  of  a  monastery 
whose  walls  once  echoed  the  grand  hymns  of  Catholicity.* 

But  to  come  down  to  later  times.  It  is  now  about  two 
centuries  and  a  half  since  the  unhappy  condition  of  Iivland 
first  obliged  her  faithful  children  to  seek  a  refuge  in  the 
New  World.  The  barbarous  Cromwell,  during  his  term  of 
office  (1G53-58),  transported  about  G0,000  Irish  "  beyond 
the  seas " — to  America.  Each  whim  of  tyranny,  each 
change  of  government  in  England,  each  unfortunate  insur- 
rection in  Ireland  swelled  the  stream  of  exiles  that  directed 
their  course  across  the  Atlantic.  One  hundreJ  thousand 
sougbt  our  shores  during  the  reign  of  AVilliam  III.  Good 
authorities  inform  us  that  in  the  year  1729,  in  Pennsylvania 
alone,  over  5,000  Irish  arrived.  This  was  more  than  ten- 
fold the  number  which  came  from  all  the  rest  of  Europe, 
during  the  same  year.§  Many  of  these  immigrants,  to  use 
the  words  of  McGee,  "  were  the  best  blood  of  Catholic  Ire- 
land."    Among  them  were  the  Cari'olls  of  Maryland. 

From  the  establishment  of  the  diocese  of  Baltimore  in 
1700,  till  the  present  time,  about  4,000,000  natives  of  Ire- 


*  Montal.'nibert  :  "  Monks  of  the  West,"  Yol.  III. 

t  See  the  Nun  of  Konmare's  ''Illustrated  History  of  Ireland"  ; 
also  Colgau's  "  Acta  Sanctorum  Ilibernia." 

\  Dr.  Shea's  "History  of  Catholic  Missions,"  etc. 

§  See  McGce's  "  History  of  Irish  Settlers  in  North  America"  •, 
McGee's  "Catholic  History  of  America";  Rev.  S.  Byrne's 
"  Irish  Emigration  to  the  United  States." 


Ij  \ 


"  Mill  turn  in  Parvo^ 


567 


l.ind  laiuled  in  the  United  States.  The  great  majority  of 
these  were  Catholics.  Thev  became  the  foundation-stones 
of  the  American  Church.  They  helped  to  build  up  States. 
Their  strong  arms  and  hardy  industry  made  the  wilderness 
disappear,  lieligion  and  civilization  followed  their  foot- 
steps. The  Catholic  Irish  were  among  the  pioneer  settlers 
and  founders  of  Arkansas,  Kentucky,  California,  Illinois', 
Indiana,  Maine,  Maryland,  Michigan,  Missouri,  New  York, 
North  Carolina,  South  Carolina,  Pennsylvania,  and  several 
other  States.* 

The  Catholic  Irish  are  pre-eminently  a  missionary  people. 
The  have  been  the  Church  builders  of  America.  "  They 
built  fine  churches,"  M'rites  Archbishop  Lynch,  "  before 
they  had  line  houses.     The  word  was  :  God's  house  first  ^"f 

Ninety  years  ago,  the  Catholic  population  of  New  York 
City  was  about  one  hundred.  Now,  it  is  nearly  half  a  mil- 
lion. AVliat  caused  this  change?  The  Irish  came,  they 
labored,  they  firmly  established  Catholicity.  While  they 
connected  Lake  Erie  with  the  Hudson,  they  carried  the  Faith 
into  the  heart  of  the  Empire  State.  It  is  no  exaggeration 
to  say  that  the  Irish  workmen  who  built  the  Erie  Canal,  at 
the  same  time  laid  the  foundation  of  three  episcopal  sees — 
Albany,  Rochester,  and  Buffalo.  In  New  England  the  result 
is  not  less  striking.  Just  after  the  Ilevolution,we  learn  that 
the  Catholic  population  of  Boston  consisted  of  "a  few 
Frenchmen  and  Spaniards  and  about  thirty  Irishmen. ":j: 
Outside  of  that  city  there  were,  perhaps,  not  a  dozen  Catho- 
lics in  all  New  England.  Of  the  committee  of  seven,  which, 
in  1799,  was  formed  for  the  pui'j)t)se  of  erecting  the  first 
Catholic  church  in  Boston,  six  were  Irish.  Thirty  clergy- 
men were  present  at  the  diocesan  synod  held  in  Boston  in 
18-1:2.  Twenty-four  of  these  have  unmistakably  Irish  names. 
AVe  have  already  learned  that  two  young  Irish  ladies  founded 
the  first  Convent  in  New  England.  To-day,  there  are  nearly 

♦  "  History  of  the  Irish  Settlers  in  North  America." 

t  Pastoral  Letter. 

J  Father  Fitton,  "History  of  the  Church  in  New  England." 


i'''-j 


568  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

1,000,000  Catholics  in  the  New  England  States.  That  these 
are  almost  entirely  composed  of  Irish  and  their  descendants 
is  beyond  all  question.  In  the  Atlantic  States,  in  the  Mis- 
Kissii)pi  Valley,  on  the  Pacific  coast  their  labors  also  stand 
out  in  bold  relief. 

The  true  Catholic  Irishman  is  a  man  of  unshiiken  faith. 
His  religious  convictions  are  built  on  a  rock.  They  have 
their  foundations  down  deep  in  his  heart.  Tliis  fact  alone 
proves  the  innate  nobility  and  unsurpassed  grandeur  of  the 
Irish  race.  "  Unshaken  convictions,"  says  the  famous  La- 
cordaire,  "dwell  only  in  profound  minds,  and  in  hearts 
finely  tempered  by  the  hand  of  God.''* 

"  AVe  have  given  communion,"  writes  Dr.  Lynch, "  at  one 
o'clock  in  the  day  to  a  good  mother  who  carried  her  child 
Beven  miles  when  she  was  still  suffering  from  fever  and 
ague,  and  beautifully  did  she  earn  the  mercy  of  God.  AVe 
knew  an  Irishman  who  feeling  he  was  about  to  die,  carried  a 
heavy  Ilaydock's  Bible  sixty  miles  to  give  it  to  a  Catholic 
lady,  lest  after  his  death,  as  he  said,  it  might  fall  into  wicked 
hands.  He  died  from  the  fatigue  of  his  journey  on  foot, 
"without  the  sacrament,  as  there  were  no  priests  within  hun- 
dreds of  miles  of  him.  AVe  strove  to  obtain  the  Bible,  but 
the  good  lady  w^ould  rot  give  it  up.  The  children  of  the 
Irish,  too,  through  the  mercy  of  God  inherit  the  same 
bright  faith  from  their  mothers."f 

Kor  does  the  smoke  of  battle,  or  the  roar  of  cannon  make 
the  Irishman  forget  the  venerated  Faith  of  his  fathers.  The 
late  civil  war  "  had  in  it  nothing  more  remarkable  than  the 
religious  devotion  of  the  Irish  soldier  w^henever  he  was  with- 
in  the  reach  of  a  chaplain.  The  practice  of  their  faith 
whether  before  battle,  in  camp  or  in  bivouac,  exalted  thoni 
into  heroes.  The  regiment  that  in  some  hollow  of  the  field 
knelt  down  to  receive,  bareheaded,  the  benediction  of  their 
priest,  next  moment  rushed  into  the  fray  with  a  wilder  cheer 


*  "Letters  to  Young  Men.'' 
t  Pastoral  Letter. 


'^MuUum  in  Parvol' 


569 


nnd  a  more  impetuous  dash.  That  benediction  nerved  tliose 
gallant  men,  as  the  enemy  discovered  to  their  cost.  Even 
in  the  depth  of  winter,  when  the  snow  lay  thick  on  the  earth, 
the  Irish  Catholic — Federal  or  (^)nfe(lerate,  it  mattered  not 
which — would  hear  Mass  devoutly  on  the  hleak  j)lain  or  the 
wild  hill-side,  standing  only  when  that  posture  was  custoii- 
ary  and  kneeling  in  the  snow  and  slush  during  the  greater 
portion  of  the  time."* 

It  is  related  that  an  Irish  soldier,  baaly  wounded,  was 
lying  on  a  hard-fought  field  in  upper  Georgia,  towards  Chat- 
tanooga, lie  was  found  by  a  chaplain  attached  to  his  corps 
in  a  helpless  condition,  leaning  against  a  tree.  The  priest 
seeing  the  case  to  be  one  of  imminent  danger,  proposed  to 
hear  his  confession,  but  was  surprised  to  hear  him  say  : 
"  Father,  I'll  wait  a  little.  There's  a  man  over  there  worse 
wounded  than  I  am.  He  is  a  Protestant,  and  he's  calling 
foi"  the  priest — go  to  him  first."  This  reminds  us  of  the  oft- 
told  anecdote  about  Sir  Philip  Sidney,  and  the  glass  of 
water,  but  it  is  more  heroic.  The  priest  found  the  wounded 
Protestant,  received  him  into  the  Church,  and  remained 
with  him  till  he  expired.  He  then  returned  to  hear  the 
confession  of  the  Irish  Catholic,  whose  first  words  were  : 
"Well,  Father,  didn't  I  tell  you  the  truth?  I  knew  th3 
poor  fellow  wanted  you  more  than  I  did."  The  priest  and 
the  penitent  are  still  alive  to  tell  the  story .f 

What  would  Catholicity  in  America  be  w^ithout  the  shin- 
ing example  of  Irish  faith  and  piety  ?  Example  is  power- 
ful. The  strongest  minds  are  not  beyond  its  influence.  Father 
Garesche,  S.J.,  the  distinguished  missionary,  tells  us  of  a 
lady  convert  who  on  leaving  a  great  city,  said  that  what  she 
missed  most  was  the  example  and  encouragement  of  the 
good  old  Irish  women,  saying  their  prayers  at  the  altars  of 
God.  The  Jubilee  of  1875  proves  that  all  the  materialistic 
influence  and  irreligious  surroundings  to  be  met  in  this  lie- 
public,  cannot  destroy  the  lofty  piety  so  deeply  seated  in  the 


''";   18* 


*  "  The  Irisb  in  America." 


t  Ibid. 


flyikii 


570  Catholicity  in  the   United  States. 

liearts  of  the  Irisli  and  their  dcscendantH,  During  tliat  Juhlloe 
the  present  writer  has  often  stood  near  the  cntrante  of  various 
ehurt'hes  in  New  York  and  I'rooklyn  for  tlio  purpose  of  in- 
forming himself  as  to  the  nationality  of  those  who  availed 
themselves  of  its  lioly  privileges.  The  truth  must  be  told. 
The  vast  majority  were  Ii'ish,  or  of  Irish  desfont. 

The  Catholic  Irish  have  faults.  What  people  have  none? 
Their  virtues,  however,  are  seldom  equalled,  while  their  faults 
are  often  borrowed — the  result  of  American  associations, 
and  do  not  belong  to  the  race  as  wo  find  it  in  Ireland,  or  in 
any  other  country.*  TIio  real,  or  supposed  faults  of  the 
Irish  here,  are  a  subject  for  every  splenetic  wliiner  who 
dislikes  the  race.  The  beam  in  the  critic's  eve  is  nothino' 
compared  to  the  mote  in  the  Irishman's  !  As  a  nation 
they  are  misjudged,  slandered,  calumniated.  (lenerally, 
however,  the  most  unfortunate  child  of  Erin  has  a  much 
better  heart  than  the  croaking  pliarisce  who  criticises  his 
failings,  or  ridicules  his  peculiarities.  It  is  one  of  the 
wonders  of  history  how  the  Irish  race,  through  ager.,  have 
preserved  their  grand  faith,  moral  purity,  mental  biightness, 
and  physical  superiority,  despite  the  iron  rule,  appalling 
persecution,  and  matchless  tyranny  of  the  most  hateful  gov- 
ernment that  ever  cursed  a  portion  of  God's  earth  1 

Should  the  Irish  in  America  forget  their  native  land — 
their  beautiful  sea-girt  Isle  ?  Some  say,  yes,  adding  that  it 
is  of  great  importance  to  become  Americanized  at  once,  or 
Boon  as  possible.  With  this  opinion,  we  cannot  agree. 
There  is  really  no  connection  between  forgetting  Ireland 
and  becoming  a  good  citizen  of  this  Republic,  any  more 
than  there  is  in  forgetting  Catholicity  for  the  same  purpose. 
Commodore  Barry  was  an  enthusiastic  Irishman,  but  he  was 
none  the  less  the  great  and  faithful  head  of  the  American 
navy.  Archbishop  Hughes  was  a  true  Irishman,  yet  he  was 
a  great  prelate,  an  illustrious  citizen  of  the  United  States. 
The  truth  is,  it  is  a  principle  founded  in  human  nature 


*  Dr.  Brownson. 


n 


''Mult  urn  in  Par  vol"  571 

that  no  true  man  can  f<>r«;et  liiH])irtl»-place,  any  more  tlian  lio 
can  his  name,  or  his  faitli.  Still,  the  Irishman,  we  helievo, 
hecomes  an  American,  tliinks  and  feels  ami  acts  as  such, 
in  a  shorter  time  than  any  other  Kiiropean.  For  this  he 
deserves  prai.^e.  ]>ut  he  ceases  not  to  reiiuMnher  his  native 
Isle.  His  heart  warms  at  the  mention  of  it.  lie  teaciies  his 
children  to  love  it,  he  reminds  them  of  its  faith,  and  suf- 
ferings, and  past  glories.  Is  he  wrong  in  this  ?  Away 
with  the  withering  doctrine  that  would  say,  yes.  In  the  love 
of  country  there  is  something  truly  sublime.  It  is  a  great 
virtue.  It  belongs  to  the  highest  order  of  charity.  "  The 
love  of  our  native  country,"  writes  St.  Thomas  Aquinas, 
the  Angelic  Doctor  and  prince  of  Catholic  theologians, 
"  8ui7)asses  all  natural  affections ;  its  prosperity  and  inde- 
pendence are  preferable  to  all  we  owe  to  either  parents  or 
kindred."* 

The  son  who  does  not  revere  his  father's  land  is  unworthy 
to  bear  his  fathei^'s  name.  Of  the  grandson,  we  venture 
to  say  the  same.  This  is  especially  the  case  as  regards  Ire- 
land, whose  very  name  and  history  should  be  an  inspiration 
to  the  Catholics  of  America.  To  the  latest  ages  the  worthy 
descendants  of  Irishmen  in  America  will  bear  a  cherished 
affection  for  that  Holy  Isle,  which  has  been  great  in  adver- 
sity, and  in  persecution  for  the  Faith  of  Ages,  "  constant  as 
the  northern  star." 

**  The  great  old  Irish  houses,  the  proud  old  Irish  names, 
Like  stars  upon  the  midnight  to-day  their  lustre  gleams; 
Gone  are  the  great  old  houses,  the  proud  old  names  are  low 
That  shed  a  glory  o'er  the  land  a  thousand  years  ago  ; 
But  wheresoe'er  a  scion  of  these  great  old  houses  be. 
In  the  coujitry  of  his  fathers,  or  the  tand  beyond  the  sea, 
In  city,  or  in  hamlet,  by  the  valley,  on  the  liill, 
The  spirit  of  his  brave  old  sires  are  watching  o'er  him  still  I" 

The  Catholic  Iri.-h  and  their  descendants  in  America  have 
distinguished  themselves  in  every  elevated  walk  of  life.  Their 
influence  on  the  destinies  of  tbisEepublic  afford  a  wide  field 


III 


::  'P' 
ilil 


\  :    I- 


*  "Summa." 


572  Catholicity  in  the  Ujiited  States, 

for  plrllosopliic  inquiry.  Tlie  solidity  and  In-ill  iancy  of  tlie 
Irish  mind  is  felt  in  every  department  of  intellectual  labor. 
As  prelates,  priests,  religious,  educators,  poets,  orators,  au- 
thors, publishers,  statesmen,  jurists,  and  soldiers,*  their  lif'ht 
shines  before  all  who  are  not  too  blind  to  see.f 

"  Is  it  not  a  remarkable  coincidence,"  observes  Prof.  Mul- 
renan,  "  that  the  first  bishop  and  archbishop  of  tlie  Church 
in  the  United  States  was  the  son  of  an  Irish  emigrant,  and 
that  the  first  American  Cardinal  is  tlie  son  of  Ii'ish  parents  ? 
The  primetial  see  of  this  Republic  is  called  after  the  little 
town  of  Baltimore  on  the  coast  of  Cork — that  historic  Balti- 
moi*e,  celebrated  in  inrimortal  verse  by  the  stimng  muse  of 
Davis.     These  things  have  not  happened  by  chance.'*;}: 

"  The  Irish  Catholics,"  says  the  Hon.  T.  D.  McGee,  "  stand 
here  in  their  highest  relation  to  the  destiny  of  America  as 
church-builders.  They  have  paid  back  the  money  of  the 
Puritan  by  acclimating  tlie  Cross  in  the  atmosphere  of  the 
Puritan.  They  have  made  it  known  that  the  25th  of  De- 
cember is  Christmas  Day,  and  that  God  is  to  be  honored  in 
His  saints.  They  have  practically  brought  to  the  Ameri- 
can mind  the  idea  that  marriage  is  a  lioly  sacrament,  not  a 
civil  contract.  In  their  small  catechism  they  have  introduced 
the  profoundest  system  of  Christian  philosophy.  All  this 
they  have  done  out  of  their  poverty,  but  not  without  excit- 
ing derision,  scorn,  envy,  jealousy,  and  fear — the  whole  tribe 
of  the  meaner  passions  of  human  nature.  A  tree  of  that  size 
does  not  lift  it':elf  aloft  without  catching  the  gale,  nor  strike 
its  strong  roots  around  it  without  disturbing  the  earth." §  In 


*  Gen.  James  Shields,  an  Irishman  and  a  true  Catholic,  was 
the  only  coiuumnder  that' ever  defeated  the  celebrated  "Stone- 
wall "  Jaokson. 

t  The  lion.  William  E.  Robinson,  of  Brooklyn,  L.  I.,  a  devoted 
Irishman,  who,  as  early  as  1841,  began  to  point  out  the  labors  of 
the  Irish  in  this  country,  is  now  engaged  in  preparing  a  volume 
pnthp  "Irish  Element  in  American  History." 

I  "The  Manhattan  Monthly." 

§  "  The  Catholic  History  of  America." 


'il 


^'' Mid  turn  in  ParvoV 


573 


referring  to  the  progress  of  Catholicity,  the  learned  Rev. 
Charles  I.  "White,  D.D.,  writes: 

"In  recording  this  consoling  advancomont  of  the  Church 
throughout  the  United  States,  especially  the  North  and  West, 
justice  requires  us  to  state  that  it  is  owing  in  a  great  measure  to 
the  faith,  zeal,  and.  generosity  of  the  Irish  people,  who  have 
emigrated  to  these  shores,  and  their  descendants.  We  are  far 
from  wishing  to  detract  from  the  merit  of  other  nationalities; 
but  the  vast  influence  which  the  Irish  population  have  exerted 
in  extending  the  domain  of  the  Church  is  well  deserving  of 
notice,  because  it  conveys  a  very  instructive  lesson.  The  won- 
derful history  of  the  Irish  nation  has  always  forced  upon  us  the 
conviction,  that,  like  the  chosen  generation  of  Abraham,  they 
were  destined  in  the  designs  of  Providence  to  a  special  mission 
for  the  preservation  and  propagation  of  the  true  faith.  This 
fn'th,  so  pure,  so  lively,  so  generous,  displays  itself  in  every 
region  of  the  globe.  To  its  vitality  and  energy  must  we  attribute 
to  a  very  great  extent  the  rapid  increase  in  the  number  of 
churches,  and  other  institutions  which  have  ^prung  up  in  the 
United  States,  and  to  the  same  source  are  the  clergy  mainly  in- 
debted for  their  support  in  the  exercise  of  their  pastoral  minis- 
try. It  cannot  be  denied,  and  we  bear  a  cheerful  testimony  to 
the  fact,  that  hundreds  of  clergymen  who  are  laboring  for  the 
salvation  of  souls  would  starve,  and  their  efforts  for  the  cause  of 
religion  would  be  in  vain,  but  for  the  generous  aid  which  they 
receive  from  the  children  of  Erin,  who  know,  for  the  most  part, 
how  to  appreciate  the  benefits  of  religion,  ond  who  therefore 
joyfully  contribute  of  their  worldly  means  to  purchase  the  sinrit- 
ual  blessings  which  the  Church  dispenses."* 


I  ' ' 


inMIiliiiiii 

if'    '■ 


;    iittf 

Mr. 

n  '■ 


THE   CATIIOLIO   GEKMANS- 

Next  to  tile  Irish,  the  German  element  enters  most 
largely  into  the  Catholic  Church  of  the  Ignited  States.  At 
an  early  penod,  we  find  some  German  Catholics  in  Penn- 
Fylvania.  "We  learn  that  a  few  were  in  New  York  City 
immediately  after  tiie  Eevoliition.  Writing  from  there  to 
Dr.  Carroll,  in  1785,  Father  Farmer  states  that  there  were 
ahout  thirty-eight  communicants,  "  three  of  whom  wero 
Germans."  Nevertheless,  it  was  only  ahout  a  quarter  of  a  con- 

: • 

*  "  Sketch  of  the  Catholic  Church  in  the  United  States." 


iflrffil? 


574 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


tury  ago  that  the  great  tide  of  German  iunnigrat'ion  hegan  to 
pour  its  thousands  upon  our  shores.  These  Cathohc  new- 
comers are  a  respectable  and  rapidly  increasing  body.  Their 
economy  and  industry  are  especially  notable.  They  have 
their  own  press,  schools,  churches,  and  clergy.  It  is  chiefly 
in  Ohio,  Missouri,  New  York,  Wisconsin,  Illinois,  and 
Pennsylvania  that  their  strength  is  centred.  "  The  Ger- 
man Catholics,"  writes  Rev.  Dr.  White,  "  have  shown  great 
zeal  and  energy  in  our  large  cities,  and  particularly  in  the 
region  of  the  Northwest.  Some  of  the  largest  and  most 
tasteful  edifices  for  divine  worship  have  been  erected  by 
their  activity  and  liberal  efforts.''* 

THE   CATHOLIC    FKENCII,    SPANIARDS,    ENGLISH,    AND   OTHERS. 

We  have  already  referred  to  the  glorious  labors  of  the 
French  missionaries  in  this  country.  In  the  firmament  of 
American  Catholic  history  they  shine  as  brilliant  stars.  The 
French  element  is  now  chiefly  confined  to  Louisiana,  origi- 
nally settled  by  them  and  in  which  their  language  is  yet 
extensively  spoken ;  and  to  Missouri,  Indiana,  and  Michi- 
gan. They  have  churches,  liow^ever,  in  New  York,  Brook- 
lyn, and  other  large  cities.  The  footsteps  of  the  Catholic 
French  can  be  traced  over  this  Rej)ublic.  The  St.  Croix 
River  in  Maine,  Sault  Ste.  Marie  in  Michigan,  St. 
Louis  in  Missouri,  and  New  Orleans  near  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico,  remind  us  of  that  illustrious  nation  which  gave 
America  such  explorers  as  La  Salle  and  Champlain — such 
prelates  as  De  Cheveras,  Flaget,  Dubourg,  and  Mar^chal. 

What  the  Missionaries  of  S|)ain  did  in  the  South  has  been 
related  in  another  chapter.  The  liberality  of  the  Spaniards 
on  many  occasions  can  never  be  forgotten  by  the  Catholics 
of  America.  It  was  principally  through  the  generosity  of 
the  King  of  Spain  and  his  subjects,  that  money  was  obtained 
for  the  erection  of  the  first  Catholic  church  in  New  York 
City.  The  Spanish  element  is  chiefly  confined  to  Texas, 
Arizona,  New  Mexico,  and  California. 

*  See  Note  B,  Appendix. 


^' Multiim  in  ParvoV 


575 


The  settlement  of  Maryland  is  one  of  the  glories  to 
■u'liic'b  the  Catholics  of  England  can  ever  point  with  pride. 
Russia  gave  us  Prince  Gallitzin  ;  Belgium,  the  famous  Do 
Smet  and  the  saintly  Nerinckx  ;  Italy,  the  zealous  llosati, 
D'Andreis,  and  Vetromile ;  Austria,  the  apostolic  Baraga 
and  Neumann  ;  Holland,  the  eloquent  Damen ;  and  Poland, 
not  a  few  of  her  truest  and  best  sons.  All  these  nations 
have  shared  in  the  glorious  work  of  building  up  Catholicity 
in  the  United  States. 

Again  we  come  to  the  Catholic  Indian,  unhappy 
child  of  misfortune.  We  left  him  at  the  close  of  the  mis- 
sions over  a  century  ago,  Ilis  sad  his'ory  since  cannot  be 
told  here.  AVe  can  only  mourn  over  his  lot,  and  with  tears 
in  our  eyes,  bear  solemn  witness  to  the  black  injustice  and 
unsurpassed  crimes  of  this  Ivepublic  against  the  red  man — 
crimes  that  cry  to  Heaven  for  vengeance !  Our  govern- 
ment makes  treaties  with  the  Indians  only  to  break  them  as 
soon  as  signed  ;  it  gives  reservations  of  land  only  to  take 
them  away ;  it  makes  promises  which  it  seldom  keeps ;  it 
permits  the  Indians  to  be  provoked  into  hostilities,  and 
then  butchers  them  without  mercy ;  it  does  not  allow  them 
to  intermarry  with  other  races;  it  denies  them  tlie  privi- 
leges which  it  grants  to  the  meanest  negro  or  foreigner. 
Yet  the  Indians  are  the  only  real  Americans.  The  original 
owners  of  the  soil,  they  cannot  be  citizens.  They  have  no 
rights.  They  have  no  voice  in  public  affairs.  In  this 
boasted  land  of  liberty,  the  Indian  has  no  liberty,  except 
it  be  to  die,  to  starve,  to  give  up  the  Catholic  ftiith  !  Rivers 
of  noble  blood  were  shed  to  free  the  black  man  ;  plenty  of 
powder  and  ball  is  employed  to  enslave  the  red  man — to 
destroy  him.  Great  Heaven  I  is  this  the  ])olicy  of  a  nation 
whose  Declaration  of  Independence  states  that  all  men  are 
created  free  and  ecjual  \     Is  this  American  justice? 

There  are,  perha])s,  100,000  Catholic  Indians  in  the 
United  States.  By  a  recent  arrangement  about  80,000  of 
these  are  placed  beyond  the  influence  of  the  Catholic 
Church.     They  are  forced  to  listen  to  Protestant  teachings, 


ii ;  r- 


$y6  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

to  attend  Protestant  worsliip.  ITon.  Charles  Ewing,  tlie 
Catholic  Indian  Commissioner  at  Washington,  D.C.,  is 
endeavoring,  to  the  best  of  his  ability,  to  protect  the  rights 
of  the  Catholic  Indians.  Many  distinguished  Catholic 
ladies  of  the  same  city  have  piously  banded  themselves 
together  for  a  like  purpose.*  Surely,  justice  will  listen  to 
the  cries  of  this  unhappy  race ! 

The  only  power  that  ever  has  or  ever  can  civilize  the 
red  man  is  the  Catholic  Church.  Will  our  government,  with 
a  blindly  bigoted  policy,  which  is  fairly  amazing,  continue  to 
close  its  eye  to  this  truth,  and  thwart  the  mission  of  the 
blackrobe,  the  successor  of  De  Smet  ? 

The  Church  of  Ages  loves  the  red  man,  and  the  red  man 
returns  her  affection.  He  has  often  proved  his  faith  in 
deeds,  often  stood  firmly  by  his  religion.  Some  unmatched 
ruffians  of  Maine  were  about  to  burn  the  Catholic  church 
at  Bangor,  knowing  that  the  few  Catholic  inhabitants 
would  be  unable  to  protect  it.  The  brave  Indians  of  Old 
Town  heard  of  this.  They  came  armed  with  guns,  clubs, 
and  tomahawks,  paraded  in  front  of  the  church,  and  defied 
the  rioters  to  touch  it.f  These  children  of  tlic  forest  have 
a  legend  which  says  that  upon  every  spot  where  the  Holy 
Mass  was  first  offered  up,  a  Catholic  church  will  one  day 
be  built.:|: 

The  Catholic  colored  people  of  America  are  grow- 
ing in  numbers.  We  are  informed  on  good  author- 
ity that  there  are  10,000  Catholic  negroes  in  three 
counties  of  Maryland.  But  the  conversion  of  this 
race  is  one  of  the  great  problems  of  our  age  and 
nation.  They  make  excellent  Catholics.  The  most  saintly 
person,  perhaps,  w-ith  whom  the  writer  was  ever  acquainted 
was  a  colored  lady.     The  only  organized  Catholic  society 


*  The  Baltimore  CatTioUc  Mirror. 

t  "  The  Abnaki  and  their  History." 

\  Within  the  present  limits  of  the  United  States  there  are 
about  300,000  Indians,  divided  into  260  tribes,  each  numbering 
from  40  to  16,000  Kouls, 


^* Mtiltnm  in  Parvo^  577 

now  engaged  in  the  praiseworthy  hibor  of  evangelizing 
this  people  are  the  priests  of  St.  Joseph's  Missionary 
Society  of  the  Sacred  Heart,  the  headquaiters  of  which  is 
St.  Joseph's  College,  Mill  Hill,  London,  England.  In  No- 
vember, 1871,  Ilcv.  Dr.  Vaughan,  the  founder,  took  the 
first  small  band  of  missionaries,  four  in  number,  to  labor 
among  the  long-neglected  negro  freemen  of  the  United 
States.  The  missions  of  this  country  were  formed  into  a 
province  in  1875,  at  the  head  of  which  was  placed  Rev. 
James  Noonan.  These  under  his  charge  are  Baltimore  and 
Marlborough  in  Maryland,  Louisville  in  Kentucky,  and 
Charleston,  S.  C* 

We  have  thus  presented  a  bird's-eye  view  of  the 
various  nationalities  which  compose  the  Catholic  Church 
in  America.  A  somewhat  careful  analysis  of  the  latest 
statistics  gives  us  the  following  result  in  figures  : 

The  Catholic  Irish  and  their  descendants 4,000,000 

The  Catholic  Germans  and  their  descendants 1,500,000 

Other  Catholic  races  and  their  descendant;s 1,000,000 

Total 6,500,000 

CATHOLIC    CHARITY    IN   THE    UNITED    STATES. 

From  true  religion  springs  tnie  charity.  They  hold  the 
relation  of  cause  and  effect.  Catholicity  being  the  true 
faith,  is  the  mother  of  genuine  charity.  They  cannot  bo 
separated.  All  good  things  are  occasionally  counterfeited. 
Charity  is  not  an  exception. 

A  great  deal  of  the  poverty  and  misery  of  Europe, 
much  of  which  is  seen  and  felt  even  in  America,  is  the  re- 
sult of  the  so-called  Reformation.  That  unhappy  event 
handed   the  houses  and  estates  possessed  by  the  lleligious 

*  The  CatholiG  lievlew.  Catholicity  elevates  the  negro — makes 
a  man  of  him.  The  only  Christian  negroes  that  freed  them- 
selves and  kept  their  freedom — the  Iluytians — were  Catholics. 
The  greatest  negro  the  world  has  yet  seen — Ouverture — was  a 
Catholic.    There  are  many  negro  saints  on  the  Catholic  calendar. 

37 


II'  1^ 

ii:   :■ 


fliil 


57^  Catholicity  in  the  Uftited  States. 

Orders,  but  wliicl;^  after  all,  were  largely  shared  in  by  the 
poor,  to  avaricious  kings,  nobles,  and  a  legion  of  Godless 
money-grabbers.  Did  those  wretches  think  of  the  poor? 
Go,  consult  history,  and  hear  its  sad  and  solemn  "No!" 
In  England,  pauperism  and  Protestantism  date  from  tlie 
same  period. 

The  life  of  Catholi  .'ty  in  America  has  been  one  Ion"- 
act  of  charity.  Charity  came  with  Columbus.  It  has  been 
perpetuated  by  a  race  of  heroic  men  and  women.  It  will 
end  only  with  time.  It  can  be  seen  in  the  school-room,  in 
the  hospital,  in  the  asylum,  in  the  wards  of  death,  and  on 
the  battle-field.  To-day  there  are  in  this  Republic  at  least 
18,000  men  and  women,  members  of  Ileligious  Orders,  who 
devote  themselves  to  every  kind  of  good  work,  without  any 
earthly  reward !  Eighteen  thousand  persons,  many  of  them 
of  the  very  highest  culture,  labor  gratuitously  for  the  wel- 
fare and  progress  of  the  United  States!  Estimate  their 
value,  ye  political  economist-?,  who  look  mainly  to  the  ac- 
complishment of  results  with  the  smallest  outlay  !  Some 
preach  the  Gospel,  teach  the  young,  and  reform  the  fallen ; 
others  attend  to  the  aged,  the  decrepit,  the  foundling,  and 
the  orphan.  They  conduct  two  hundred  and  fourteen  asy- 
lums and  ninety-:?ix  hospitals,  and  teach  over  half  a  million 
of  children.  The  good  tree  is  known  by  its  fruit ;  and  the 
divine  grandeur  of  Catholicity  can  be  learned  from  its  num- 
berless works  of  charity. 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE    LOSSES,    GAINS,    AND     HOPES     OF     CATHOLICITY     IN    THE 

UNITED   STATES. 

"  Hope  Is  brightest  when  it  dawns  from  fears."— Scott. 

THE  LOSSES  OP  CATHOLICITY— BEFOKE  THE  HEVOLUTION— DUKING  THE 
FII18T  HALF  CENTURY  OP  THIS  KEPCBLIC'S  EXISTENCE— DURING  THE 
SECOND  HALF  CENTURY— THE  GAINS — A  POVVERPUI,  ORGANIZATION — 
THE  HOPES— THE  FUTURE  OP  CATHOLICITY  IN  THE  LAND  OF  WASH- 
INGTON  AND  CAUUOLL. 

HIE    LOSSES. 

We  have  hitherto  traced  the  course  of  the  Catholic  Church 
in  the  United  States,  ahnost  without  referring  to  her  losses. 
AVe  have  seen  her  persecuted,  battling  with  countless  foes, 
and  finally  victorious ;  but  of  the  appalling  losses  she  sus- 
tained in  the  long  and  fearful  conflict  we  said  nothing.  Still, 
we  had  not  forgotten  them.  We  took  accurate  note  of  them. 
AVe  reserved  them  for  the  end,  when  closing  up  our  ac- 
counts.    This  last  chapter  is  our  historical  balance-sheet. 

Before  the  Revolution,  Catholicity  lost  heavily  in  the 
English  colonies  of  America.  Besides  many  Catholics  of 
other  nationalities,  it  is  beyond  question  that  some  hun- 
dreds of  thousands  of  Irish  Catholics  landed  on  these  shores 
during  the  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  preceding  the  Dec- 
laration of  Independence.  Tlie  Revolution  came.  At  that 
period,  we  read  in  the  annals  of  Yii-ginia  suc'i  Iri.^h  Catho- 
lic names  as  Lynch  and  Kennedy;  in  the  a mals  of  South 
Carolina  such  Irish  Catholic  names  as  Burivo  and  Moore  ; 
in  the  annals  of  ^ew  England  such  Irish  Catholic  names  as 
Sullivan,  Murphy,  and  O'Brien,  not  to  mention  many  others. 
The  bearers  of  these  names  were  Protestants.  They  had  been 

(579) 


If" 

r  ^ 

1': 

■ 

58o 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 


lost  to  the  faitli.  Even  the  descendants  of  L(jrd  Baltluiove, 
the  illustrious  founder  of  Catholic  Muryland,  apostatized.  At 
the  date  of  the  Revolution,  it  is  estimated  that  there  were 
only  25,000  Catholics  in  the  thirteen  orip;inal  States!  AVliat 
had  become  of  the  other  thousands?  History  preserves  a 
moumful  silence.  The  truth  is,  they  had  perished.  Jhit 
not  by  famine,  not  by  the  sword  of  persecution,  not  nobly 
fighting  for  the  Faith  did  they  perish.  Surrounded  by  Prot- 
estant influence,  scorned  by  Protestant  power,  and  goaded 
by  Protestant  persecution,  they  soon  grew  ashamed  of  their 
glorious,  but  hated  religion.  They  deserted  it.  Their 
descendants,  unhappily,  swelled  the  ranks  of  error. 

To  what  causes  may  all  those  hxsses  be  attributed? 
(1)  To  the  unholy  persecution  which  drove  Catholics  from 
Ireland  and  Great  Britain  ;  (2)  to  the  satanic  laws  that 
flourished  in  the  colonies;  (3)  to  the  want  of  churches, 
schools,  and  x>riests  ;  (4)  and  to  the  stigma  of  shame  and  dis- 
grace attached  to  the  very  name  Catholic.    Catholics  were — 

"  A  fixed  figure  for  tlie  hand  of  scorn 
To  point  its  slowly  moving  finger  at." 

"Men,"  writes  Ilev.  J.  L.  Spalding,  '' thought  better  of 
Jews  and  Turks  than  of  us ;  and  the  Sultan  in  their  eyes 
was  not  so  hateful  as  the  Pope."  AVho  was  responsible  for 
that  unhappy  state  of  affairs  ?  England.  We  boldly  charge 
that  crime-stained  nation  with  the  loss  of  thousands  and 
thousands  of  Catholics,  whom  she  drove  from  home,  and 
country,  and  the  blessed  religion  of  their  fathers,  during  the 
century  and  a  half  preceding  the  American  Revolution! 
To  history  we  appeal  for  the  truth  of  this  charge.* 


*  Porliaps  tlifi  most  prominent  Catliolic  wlio  apostatized  dur- 
ing tlie  period  of  Jinglisli  rule  in  America  was  Benedict  Leonard 
Calvert — tlie  lineal  descendant  of  Lord  Baltimore.  It  occurred 
thus:  "Seduced  by  ambition  and  the  efforts  of  the  Queen  of 
England,"  writes  McSherry,  "and  sustained  against  his  father's 
opposition  by  a  royal  pension,  he  abandoned  his  faith  to  ad- 
vance his  fortunes."  "History  of  Maryland,"  p.  105.  This  un- 
happy man  died  in  1715. 


^ 


Losses y  Gains ^  and  Hopes  of  Catholieity,  581 

IIow  was  it,  (lurinf^  tlic  fifty  years  iimnediately  following 
the  Revolution  ?  The  loss  still  eoiitimied.  Bishop  England 
was  the  first  who  carefully  and  patiently  investigated  this 
subject.  In  1830,  he  estimated  the  Catholic  population  of 
the  United  States  at  1,200,000.  "  We  ought,  if  there  were 
no  loss,"  remarked  the  great  prelate,  lO  have  five  millio!i3 
of  Catholics,  and  as  we  have  less  than  one  million  and  11 
quarter,  there  must  be  a  loss  of  three  millions  and  three- 
quarters  at  least ;  and  the  persons  so  lost  are  found  amongst 
the  various  sects  to  the  amount  of  thrice  the  number  of  the 
Catholic  population  of  the  whole  country.  I  estimate  the 
Catholics  of  my  diocese  at  less  than  12,000,  and  the  descend- 
ants of  Catholics  in  the  various  sects  at  about  o8,000  or  40,- 
000.  The  coincidence  of  the  results  creates  a  strong  prob- 
ability, it  is  indeed  presum])tive  evidence  of  the  correctness 
of  each  estimiite.  And  we  may  unhesitatingly  assert  that 
the  Catholic  Church  has,  within  the  last  fifty  years  (178G — ■ 
1830),  lost  millions  of  members  in  the  United  States."* 

Let  us  take  account  of  the  causes  which  led  to  this  un- 
happy falling  away  from  the  Faith  :  (1)  Again,  the  chief  and 
indirect  cause  was  the  evil  influence  of  England.  The  fiend- 
ish hatred  of  Catholics,  and  especially  of  Irish  Catholics,  was 
a  precious  legacy,  for  which  certain  portions  of  the  United 
States  could  justly  thank  England.  The  Revolution  had  not 
destroyed  the  old  insensate  feeling  of  bitter  religious  ani- 
mosity. Cathol'city  was  still  a  reproach.  Bishop  England 
assures  us  that  such  was  the  case  in  his  own  day.  Ignorant 
or  weak-minded  Catholics  thus  became  gradually  ashamed  of 
a  creed  for  which  they  heard  naught  save  words  of  scoi'n  and 
vilification.  They  deserted  it.  (2)  The  labors  of  the  clergy, 
comparatively  few  in  number,  were  chiefly  confined  to  the 
large  cities.  Hence,  Catholics  who  settled  in  out-of-the-way 
villages  and  country  places,  or  in  the  backwoods,  were  de- 
prived of  religious  instruction  and  all  the  life-giving  sacra- 
ments of  the  Church.      Some  could   not  see    a  priest  for 


*  "  Works  "  of  Bishop  England,  Vol  HI. 


582  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

twenty  years ;  others,  not  during  their  whole  life !  Sur- 
rounded on  every  side  by  influences  hostile  to  Catholieitv. 
need  we  be  astonished  to  leam  that  it  was  in  the  course  of 
time  given  up,  forgotten'^  I'^icy  became  lii<e  their  neigh- 
bors.  (3)  Not  a  few  of  the  firt^t  priests  were  unworthy  of  their 
lioly  calling — selfish  and  insubordinate  men.  Some  of  thcni 
became  apostates  ;  others  caused  schisms,  scandals,  and  un- 
liappy  dissensions.  It  is  said  that  in  1809  but  three  Catholics 
received  Holy  Communion  at  Easter,  in  Charleston,  8.  C. 
Ileligious  scandals  were  at  the  bottom  of  this  deplorable 
tepidity.  (4)  Trusteeism,  at  one  time,  actually  threatened  the 
disorganization  of  the  Church.  For  many  years  it  was  a 
source  of  scandals  and  schisms.  (5)  The  priests  were  often 
foreigners,  who  could  not  speak  English,  and  thus  their 
power  for  good  was  greatly  diminished,  (fi)  Churches  were 
few.  (7)  Catholic  schools  did  not  exist.  (8)  Many  poor  emi- 
grants on  reaching  our  changeable  climate  died.  AVhat  be- 
came of  their  children  can  easily  be  imagined.  Such  are 
a  lew  of  the  numerous  reasons  why  Catholicity  lost  so  many 
during  the  first  half-century  of  this  Republic's  existence. 

The  last  forty  or  fifty  years  have  also  their  losses  to 
record.  A  vast  tide  of  Catholic  emigration  poured  into 
the  country,  and  it  was  impossible  to  provide  for  the  relig- 
ious wants  of  this  new  population.  Without  churches, 
priests,  or  instniction,  their  children  grew  up,  joined  the 
sects,  or  remained  indifferent  to  religion  in  any  form.  Even 
to-day,  in  Kansas,  and  other  western  regions,  many  Catli- 
olics  do  not  see  a  priest  more  than  once  a  year.  "  I  travel- 
led eighty  miles  last  year,"  says  a  clergyman  of  the  West, 
"  in  answerins:  a  sick  call.  I  traversed  an  untrodden  waste, 
a  howling  wilderness  ;  no  bridges  spanned  the  desolate 
rivers;  no  road  streaked  the  forest  solitude."*  In  such 
neglected  places  the  Catholic  faith,  in  not  a  few  families, 
dies  out,  becomes  extinct  in  the  second  or  third  generation. 
All  observing  Catholics,  who  have  travelled  through  various 
parts  of  America,  learn  of  imhappy  instances  of  this  sort. 

*  Rev.  F.  X.  Nunan. 


Losses,  Gains,  and  Hopes  of  Catholicity.  583 

Among  other  causes  of  loss  besides  those  ulrcady  men- 
tioned arc:  (1)  mixed  mamagcs;  (2)  secret  societies; 
(H)  kidnapping  Catholic  cliildren ;  (4)  the  worldliness  and 
human  respect  now  so  common  ;  (.">)  want  of  earnest 
thoroughness  in  teaching  our  faith  hotii  in  churcli  and  in 
school  ;  (tJ),  and  finally,  many  of  our  churches  are  not 
entirely  free  to  the  poor,  which  they  sliould  be. 

The  immense  losses  of  Catholicity  in  tlic  United  States  are 
known  best  to  those  who  have  studied  tlie  subject  most.  Deny 
them  we  cannot.  We  have  pointed  to  the  chief  cause — Eng- 
lish power  and  English  influence  in  America.  This,  to  many, 
may  sound  exceedingly  unpleasant.  Nevertheless,  it  was  tlie 
primary  cause;  all  others  were  secondary.  Ireland  sent  out 
her  armies  of  Catholics  only  to  have  thousands  of  them  in- 
gloriously  annihilated.  AMiy  were  they  obliged  to  come 
here?  What  caused  them  to  lose  their  faith  when  they 
arrived  in  this  AVestern  AVorld  ?  These  arc  questions  which 
may  be  asked  to  the  end  of  time,  and  to  the  end  of  time 
they  will  get  but  one  answer — England! 

Translated  into  numerals,  it  may  be  inquired,  what  really 
have  been  our  total  losses  ?  From  the  unsatisfactory  con- 
dition of  American  statistics,  we  believe  that  it  is  impossible 
to  arrive  at  an  accurate  and  reliable  answer  to  this  question  ; 
but  it  may  be  safely  said  that  more  Catholics  have  fallen 
away  from  the  faith  in  this  country,  during  the  last  two 
centuries  and  a  half,  than  are  to-dav  liviui'  in  it.* 

"  To  coniine  ourselves,"  writes  Rev.  J.  L.  Spalding,  S.T.L.j 
"  to  the  period  in  which  the  hierarchy  has  been  in  existence 
(1790-1876),  we  have  lost  in  numbers  by  far  more  than  we 
have  gained,  if  I  may  express  an  opinion  beyond  all  doubt. 
But  the  causes  of  this  are  manifest.  They  were  accidental, 
have  already  to  a  great  extent  disappeared,  and  must,  day  by 
day,  become  more  inactive ;  so  that  the  number  of  those 
who  are  here  lost  to  the  faith  is  in  propoi'tion  to  the  Catholic 
population  of  the  country  continually  decreasing,  whilst  the 
number  of  converts  each  year  grows  larger."f 

*  See  Note  C,  Appendix. 

t  "Life  of  Archbishop  Spalding." 


if 


584  Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 


THE   GADfS. 


Tlioiin^li  tlio  victory  luis  not  1)cmmi  liglitljwon,  tlie  triumpli 
of  Catliolicity  in  tliis  Kopublie  in  no  longer  doubtful.  Tli;: 
Church  in  now  a  powerful  orn^finizatlon,  with  a  learned  and 
devoted  hierarchy,  with  thousands  of  priests,  seventy-two 
religious  orders,  hundreds  of  educational  institutions,  a  loyal 
and  vigilant  press,  and  a  growing  Catholic  literature.  Shu 
is  revered  by  her  children,  respected  even  by  her  enetnics. 
In  truth,  there  is  a  magical  something  about  the  name  Catho- 
lic. The  word  carries  with  it  an  honored  prestige,  so  much 
80,  that  many  of  the  sects,  forgetful  of  the  seventh  com- 
mandment, have  attempted  to  steal  it. 

The  strengtli  of  an  army  does  not  consist  merely  in  its 
numbers.  Organization,  discipline,  skilled  othcers  and 
generals,  these  make  it  formidable.  It  is  the  same  with  the 
Church.  And  here  lies  our  gain.  "SVe  are  strong,  we  are 
well  organized,  we  can  hold  our  own,  and  for  this  we  thank 
God.  It  is  the  first  time,  perhaps,  that  this  could  be  truly 
written  of  Catholicity  in  the  United  States.  The  large  num- 
ber of  Catholic  emigrants  that  continue  to  arrive  annually 
from  Ireland,  Germany,  and  other  nations  will  not  be  lost. 
We  can  take  care  of  them.  Conversions  were  numerous  in 
the  past,  and  they  increase  with  the  growth  of  years.  The 
ablest  lay  champion  of  our  faith  in  America  was  a  convert. 
To-day,  the  primate  of  the  United  States  is  a  convert. 

But  let  us  carefully  examine  the  subject  of  conversions 
at  different  times,  and  in  different  and  widely-separated 
parts  of  this  great  country.  From  tlic  Metropolitan  of  185:?, 
we  learn  that  Archbishop  Hughes  r^oniirmed  two  hund.od 
and  thirty-six  persons  in  New  York  in  one  day,  thirty-six  of 
whom  were  converts ;  that  in  a  church  of  Ohio,  sixty-five 
persons  were  confirmed,  nine  of  whom  were  converts  ;  that 
in  Milwaukee,  Dr.  Ilenni  confirmed  one  hundred  and  fifty 
on  a  certain  occasion,  twenti/-tico  of  whom  were  convcits; 
and  that  Dr.  Kenrick,  of  Philadelphia,  confirmed  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty-four  in  one  day,  twenty-ei/}ht  of  whom  were 


,,   111 


Losses,  Gains,  and  Hopes  of  Catholicity.   5S5 

converts.  All  this  (K-eiirrcd  nearly  a  (|uarter  of  a  centm y 
ago.  Let  UH  Kcc  how  it  is  in  our  own  day,  in  nearly  the  Hatno 
(lioceseH.  For  1873,  the  confirnnitions  in  the  diocese  of 
New  York,  nuinhered  12,000,  of  who»n  six  hundnd  and 
fnrty-aix  were  converts.'^  The  Archbishop  of  Milwaukee 
states  that  live  per  cent,  of  those  lie  eoniirnis  are  converts.f 
Of  those confinned  by  the  An  hbishop  of  IMiiladelphia,  from 
five  to  seven  ])er  cent,  are  coiivcrts.:|:  "  Fourteen  per  cent, 
of  those  I  have  coniirnicd,"  writes  Dr.  (Jibbons,  of  Rich- 
mond, "since  I  came  to  this  diocose  are  converts.  ...  In 
North  Carolina,  about  thirty-live  per  cent,  of  those  I  have 
contirnied  arc  converts."v^  We  have  been  told  of  a  parish  in 
North  Carolina,  the  members  of  which  are  all  converts. 
In  five  years,  the  late  Archbishoj)  Spalding,  of  Baltinu)re, 
contirnied  twenty-two  thousand  two  hundred  and  nine,  of 
whom  two  thousatid  seven  hundred  and  Jifty-two  were  cou- 
verts.ll  The  more  Catholicity  becomes  known,  the  greater 
will  be  the  number  of  conversions  ;  indeed,  from  this  source 
alone  there  is  much  to  be  hoped. 

The  number  of  priests  ordained  and  churches  built  is  an 
excellent  means  to  judge  of  real  Catholic  progress.  Our 
record  during  the  last  four  years  can  be  considered  cheerljig. 

1873,  148  priests  ordained,  83  churches  dedicated,  51  cliurches  t)Ogun. 

1873,  178        "  "  71        "  "  69        "  " 

1874,  183         "  "        117        "  "  78        "  " 

1875,  200        "  "        134        "  "  59        "  "      ** 


Thus  the  number  of  priests  ordained  last  year  exceeds 
that  of  the  whole  Catholic  Church  of  the  United  States  fifty 
years  ago.  Our  progress  since  the  Revolution,  despite  all 
losses,  can  be  seen  in  the  table,  at  the  end  of  Book  II. 


*  Letter  of  V.  Eev.  T.  S.  Prostcn,  V.  G. 

t  Letter  of  Most  Rev.  Dr.  Henni, 

X  Letter  of  Most  Rev.  Dr.  Woods. 

§  Letter. 

I  "  Life  of  Arohbishop  Spalding." 

**  From  the  '•  Catholic  l^'ainily  Almanac"  for  those  years. 


m 


586  CatJiolicity  in  the  United  States. 


THE    HOPES    OF    CATHOLICITY. 

Our  hope  is  in  God.  When  we  look  back  and  see  the 
humble  status  of  Catholicity  in  this  country  one  hundred 
years  ago,  and  behold  its  imposing  aspect  to-day,  may  we 
not  exclaim  :  "  The  finger  of  God  is  there  ! "  In  His  hands 
our  future  is  safe.  The  rock-built  Church  which  triumphed 
over  so  many  obstacles,  has  proved  the  divinity  of  her  life. 
Were  she  merely  human,  long  since  would  she  have  perished. 
The  test  has  been  fairly  made.  Her  conflict  has  been  with  foes 
great  and  small.  She  has  conquered  the  hostile  elements 
that  threatened  her  young  life ;  and  at  this  moment  she 
stands  the  most  powerful,  thoroughly  organized,  and  per- 
fectly united  body  in  this  great  Republic. 

The  future  of  the  Catholic  Church  in  the  United  States 
depends  on  the  virtue  of  her  children.  Her  real  greatness 
shall  consist  not  so  much  in  the  size  and  number  of  her  tem- 
ples of  worship,  or  in  the  multitude  of  her  schools,  colleges, 
and  other  institutions,  as  in  the  number  of  pure,  noble,  de- 
voted Catholic  hearts.  One  such  heart  is  more  valuable  than 
twenty  cathedrals.  Let  us  learn  wisdom  from  older  nations. 
Neither  mere  wealth,  nor  material  prosperity  can  long  pre- 
serve the  faith  of  Patrick,  Columba,  and  Bede  in  this  land. 
Virtue  alone  will  save  us.  Virtue  alone  can  give  permanency 
to  Catholicity  in  this  Republic.  England  was  once  Catholic. 
She  possessed  a  rich,  powerful,  and  we  add  with  sadness,  a 
worldly  Church.  It  crumbled  away  before  the  frown  of  a 
tyrant !  Let  America  take  warning.  We  nurt  create 
amongst  us  a  more  healthy  and  lofty  Catholic  sentiment. 
Wl  .1  we  are  thoroughly  Catholic  ourselves,  it  will  be  time 
to  think  of  converting  our  neighbors.  "  Your  missioii,"  says 
the  eloQ^uent  Father  Burke,  O.P.,  "  is  to  live  so  as  to  make 
your  influence  felt,  to  shape  the  laws,  to  form  society  on  a 
Catholic  basis.  Without  this,  no  nation,  especially  America, 
can  ever  rise  to  the  summit  of  its  destiny."^ 

We  shall  begin  to  wield  this  salutary  influence  only  when 

*  "Lectures." 


m  I 


lee  the 
Lindrcd 
lay  we 
a  hands 
imphed 
ler  life, 
unshed, 
ith  foes 
lements 
ent  she 
nd  per- 


•?' 


Losses,  Gains,  and  Hopes  of  Caiholicity.  587 

our  Church  can  count  a  numerous,  devoted,  and  thoroughly 
educated  Catholic  body.  In  the  word  education,  is  bound 
up  the  mighty  power  that  will  enable  us  to  do  good  on  a  large 
scale.  We  must  not  hide  our  light  under  a  bushel.  We  must 
exhibit  Catholicity  in  all  its  beauty  and  grandeur,  that  men 
seeing,  may  admire,  and  admiring,  may  believe. 

Our  Catholic  people  are  pious,  self-sacrificing,  loyal  to  the 
Vicar  of  Christ,  and  good  citizens  of  this  Republic.  We  bear 
cheerful  testimony  to  their  virtues ;  yet  without  failing  to 
point  out  that  much  remains  to  be  done.  They  are  the  hope 
of  this  country.     A  weighty  responsibility  rests  on  them. 

We  should  be  prepared  for  persecution,  though  the  liberty 
of  our  Church  need  create  no  serious  fears.  "  If  the  Catholic 
religion,"  writes  Dr.  Clarke,  "  were  to  be  proscribed  in  this 
country,  then  the  American  Constitution,  to  which  all  Amer- 
icans profess  such  ardent  attachment  and  inviolable  fealty, 
would  ipso  facto  become  a  dead  letter.  The  doors  being 
once  thrown  open,  any  amount  of  oppression  and  persecu- 
tion might  be  practiced  with  impunity.  It  makes  no  differ- 
ence who  the  victim  might  be,  the  principle  is  in  all  cases 
the  same.  And  so  long  as  the  American  Constitution  lives, 
so  long  will  the  Catholic  religion  be  free  to  exist  and  flour- 
ish. Thus  the  fate  of  the  Catholic  religion  in  this  country 
and  that  of  the  American  Constitution  are  indissolubly  bound 
together.  The  violence  or  wrong  that  would  strike  down 
the  one,  would  annihilate  the  other.  He  that  attacks  the 
one  attacks  the  other.  He  that  defends  the  one  defends  the 
other."* 

Around  the  undimmed  career  of  Catholicity  in  America 
there  is  hope  and  glory.  Its  past  history  is  grand.  Its  future 
is  full  of  hope.  It  is  not  rash  to  predi'^t  that  half  a  century 
hence,  the  Catholic  Church  will  be  the  only  great  religious 
power  keeping  a  firm  hold  on  the  American  mind.  The 
learned,  and  the  honest  inquirer  after  truth  will  gladly  seek 
her  bosom.  And  thus  the  ancient  Faith  that  converted, 
civilized,  and  refined  tlie  rude  people  of  the  early  ages; 


*  The  Metropolitan,  Vcl.  V. 


588  Catholicity  /«  the  United  States. 

that  elevated  woman  ;  that  saved  Europe  from  a  return  to 
barbarism ;  that  fostered  art,  science,  philosophy,  and  liter- 
ature ;  that  educated  the  individual,  sanctified  the  family, 
and  blessed  society ;  that  faith,  and  that  alone,  will  save  the 
land  of  Washington  and  Carroll,  and  light  up  the  path  that 
shall  lead  it  to  a  glorious  destiny. 


hiiil 


HIS  EMINENCE  JOHN  McCLOSKEY,  D.D., 

Archbishop  of  New  York  and  first  American  Cardinal.* 

John  McCloskey  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  L.  I.,  on  the  10th  of 
March,  1810.  His  excellent  parents  were  both  natives  of  the 
County  Deny,  Ireland.  At  the  date  of  his  birth,  Brooklyn  was 
a  little  town  of  about  4,500  inhabitants.  There  were  few  Cath- 
olics in  it,  and  no  church.  As  a  boy  at  school,  we  are  told  that 
he  was  a  gentle,  delicate  lad,  who  avoided  rough  play  and  studied 
hard,  always  retiring  and  modest,  ever  in  good-humor,  and, 
whatever  his  class,  pretty  sure  to  be  at  the  head  of  it.  In  liis 
twelfth  year,  two  years  after  his  father's  death,  he  was  sent  to 
Mount  St.  Mary's  College,  Emmittsburg.  Here  he  first  becawie 
acquainted  with  John  Hughes,  afterwards  the  famous  arch- 
bishop, who  was  pursuing  his  studies  at  the  same  institution. 
John  McCloskey  went  through  the  full  seven  years'  curriculum, 
graduating  with  the  highest  honors,  in  1828.  He  returned  to  his 
mother,  then  living  in  Westchester  Co.,  N.  Y.  As  yet  he  had 
come  to  no  decision  regarding  his  vocation  ;  but  after  careful 
thought  and  recommending  the  matter  to  God,  he  chose  the 
sacred  ministry.  He  once  more  sought  the  halls  of  his  Alma 
Mater,  completed  his  theological  studies,  and  was  ordained  by 
Bishop  Dubois  in  1834,  Father  McCloskey  proceeded  to  Rome 
in  1835,  and  for  two  years  attended  the  lectures  at  the  Grego- 
rian University.  He  returned  to  New  York,  a  profound  theolo- 
gian, a  ripe  and  finished  scholar,  but  above  all,  a  model  young 
priest.  Appoin  ..ed  pastor  of  St.  Joseph's,  and  soon  after  Pres- 
ident of  St.  John's  College,  Fordham,  he  was  finally  consecrated 
coadjutor  Bishop  of  New  York  in  the  spring  of  1844.  Thus  the 
ecclesiastical  chief  of  New  York  and  his  assistant,  were  John 
Hughes,  once  the  sturdy  young  farmer,  who  brushing  difficulties 
aside,  manfully  pushed  his  way  through  college;  and  John 
McCloskey,  once  the  gentle  boy,  who  in  company  with  his  dear 
Irish  mother,  often  crossed  Fulton  Ferry  to  hear  Mass  in  old  St. 
Peter's,  and  whoso  youthful  battles  were  only  with  books  I 

On  the  day  of  consecration.  Rev.  Dr.  Power  was  the  preacher. 

"I  have  known  him  from  boyhood,"  said  the  eloquent  priest, 


*  Authorities  :  The  Illustrated  Catholic  Family  Almanac  for  1876.  The  Man- 
hattan Monthly.  "Account  of  the  Celebration  of  the  Thirtieth  Anniversary  of 
tlic  Consecration  of  his  Grace  Most  Rev.  John  McCloskey,"  and  viuious  (thcr 
sources. 

(589) 


Si 

il'ii 


III 

i 


I 
I-,.. 

% 


590 


Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


"I  have  seen  the  youthful  bud  of  genius  unfold  itself,  and  I 
have  seen  it  also  in  full  expansion,  and  I  thank  God,  I  have 
been  spared  to  behold  it  now  blessing  the  House  of  the  Lord." 

Bishop  McCloskey's  duties  required  him  to  travel  through  tlio 
greater  part  of  New  York  State.  To-day,  in  many  a  secluded 
mission  in  the  western  portion  of  it,  where  there  are  largo 
churches  and  larger  congregations,  old  men  still  tell  of  the  well- 
remembered  visits  of  the  young,  smooth-cheeked  bishop,  so 
kind  in  manner,  so  earnest,  so  eloquent,  who,  a  third  of  a  cen- 
tury ago,  came  to  them,  reviving  their  faith,  re-kindling  their 
fervor,  and  infusing  into  their  hearts  something  of  his  own  hope- 
fulness and  energy,  and  doing  a  work  the  effects  of  which  still 
endure. 

In  1847,  the  diocese  of  New  York  was  divided,  and  Dr.  McCIos- 
key  nominated  to  the  see  of  Albany.  To  the  task  of  building 
up  that  diocese,  he  devoted  himself  for  seventeen  years.  The 
magnificent  Cathedral  of  Albany,  with  many  flourishing  schools 
and  academies,  are  but  a  few  of  the  monuments  he  left  behind, 
when  he  was  elevated  to  the  metropolitan  see  of  New  York  in 
1864.  Rome  considered  him  as  the  most  worthy  to  grasp  the 
pastoral  staflf,  and  to  wear  the  mitre  of  the  great  Hughes. 

Grand  was  the  ovation  Dr.  McCloskey  received  on  his  return 
to  the  Empire  City.  There  he  was  no  stranger  among  strangers. 
He  had  been  baptized  in  old  St.  Peter's,  and  in  it  he  had  received 
his  first  communion  at  the  hands  of  the  venerable  Peter  Malou. 
He  had  been  confirmed  by  Bishop  Connolly;  he  had  been  or- 
dained by  Bishop  Dubois,  and  he  had  been  consecrated  by 
Archbishop  Hughes. 

In  this  exalted  position  Archbishop  McCloskey  has  not 
spared  himself.  The  progress  of  religion  may  be  easily  seen 
by  comparing  the  statements  in  the  Catholic  Aimanaca  for 
1864  and  1876.  Two  undertakings  especially  stand  out  in  bold 
relief — the  fine  Catholic  Protectory  at  Westchester,  N.  Y., 
and  the  continuation  of  the  massively  grand  St.  Patrick's  Cathe- 
dral. In  the  spring  of  1875,  the  crowning  honor  was  bestowed 
on  this  most  worthy  prelate.  He  was  created  Cardinal.  In  this 
event,  Catholicity  in  America  was  honored ;  and  the  Faith  re- 
ceived an  impulse  which  was  felt  throughout  this  great  Repub- 
lic. 

Cardinal  McCloskey  has  never  sought  honors.  They  followed 
him.  In  all  his  labors  he  imitates  Nature — he  works  quietly, 
gently,  silently.  Display  of  every  kind  he  dislikes.  He  is  a 
peace-maker.    Ho  blesses,  instructs,  and  elevates  society  by  his 


Losses,   Gains,  and  Hopes  of  Catholicity:  591 

strong  faith  and  shining  virtues,  guiding  men  in  the  way  of  sal- 
vation by  word,  but  still  more  by  example.  His  kind  manners 
and  modest  bearing,  combined  with  polished  scholarship,  and  a 
natural  and  charming  eloquence,  make  him  one  of  the  most 
a;5reeable  of  men.  It  is  the  hope  of  all,  that  his  Eminence,  one 
of  the  truest,  most  patriotic,  and  virtuous  sons  of  America,  may 
long  be  spared  to  the  Catholic  Church  of  the  United  States.* 


m 


MOST  REV.  JOHN  B.  PURCELL,  D.D.,t 

Archbishop  of  Cincinnati. 

John  Baptist  Purcell  was  born  in  the  little  town  of  Mallow, 
County  Cork,  Ireland,  on  the  26th  of  February,  1800,  of  a  poor, 
but  most  pious  and  faithful  Catholic  family.  Having  completed 
his  humanities  at  his  birthplace,  he  came  to  America  in  his 
eighteenth  year,  and  made  his  course  of  philosophy,  and  began 
that  of  theology  in  the  Seminary  of  Mount  St.  Mary's,  Emmitts- 
burg.  He  finally  went  to  Paris,  and  terminated  his  ecclesiasti- 
cal studies  in  the  Seminary  of  St.  Sulpice.  On  the  feast  of  Pen- 
tecost, 1826,  he  was  ordained  priest  by  Mgr.  De  Quelen,  Arch- 
bishop of  Paris. 

Father  Purcell  immediately  returned  to  the  United  States.  Ho 
was  successively  Professor  of  Philosophy  and  of  Theology  in 
Mount  St.  Mary's  College,  Emmittsburg  ;  and  at  the  same  time 
had  charge  of  the  Church  attached  to  the  College.  He  performed 
these  responsible  duties  for  seven  years. 

In  the  fall  of  1833,  Dr.  Purcell  was  consecrated  Bishop  of  Cin- 
cinnati by  Archbishop  Whitfield  in  the  Cathedral  of  Baltimore. 
When  the  see  of  Cincinnati  was  raised  to  the  Metropolitan  rank 
in  1850,  Dr.  Purcell  became  first  Archbishop,  and  had  the  honor 
of  receiving  the  pallium  fi'oni  the  hands  of  Pius  IX.  himself,  in 
the  Pope's  private  chapel. 

The  long  episcopate  of  Archbishop  Purcell — forty-three  years 
— has  been  fruitful  in  good  works.     In  Cincinnati,  he  erected  a 


*  The  archdiocese  of  New  York  has  184  churches  and  chapels,  301  priests,  1 
seminary,  3  colle«;e8,  23  ucademies,  and  a  Catholic  population  of  about  600,000. 

t  Chiefl}'  from  a  sketch  in  '■''  Ad  ct  lliatolre  du  Concile  (Ecnmeniqufi  de  Home 
Premier  du  Vatican,"  Vol.  VII.,  pi).  79-80,  and  from  notes  kindly  furnished  by 
Rev.  Francis  J.  Pabisch,  U.D.,   I.L.D.,  D.C.L.,  the  leunied  President  of  the 
Seminary  of  Mouni  St.  Mary's  of  tlie  West. 


!t  4 


592  Catholicity  i^t  the  United  States. 

superb  cathedral  of  Dayton  marble  ;  he  founded  the  grand  Sem- 
inary of  Mount  St.  Mary's  of  the  West,  and  gave  it  his  own  valu- 
able library  ;  he  established  St.  Xavior  College  on  a  firm  basis  • 
he  introduced  into  his  diocese  the  Franciscans,  Passionists,  So- 
ciety of  the  Precious  Blood,  Christian  Brothers,  Sisters  of  Char- 
ity, Sisters  of  Notre  Dame,  Sisters  of  tlie  Good  Shepherd,  Ladies 
of  the  Sacred  Heart,  Ursulines,  and  Little  Sisters  of  the  Poor. 
He  has  seen  Catholicity  grow  up  around  him  in  the  West.  He 
has  seen  the  birth,  infancy,  and  wonderful  growth  of  many  of 
the  great  cities  of  our  country.  The  revered  prelate  beheld 
Chicago  Mid  Milwaukee  when  they  were  no  more  than  rude 
collections  of  shanties ! 

Dr.  Purcell  has  on  various  occasions  proved  himself  the  cham- 
pion of  Catholicity — the  Hughes  of  the  West.  His  debate  with 
Rev.  Alexander  Campbell  in  1837,  and  since  published  in  several 
editions,  shows  him  to  be  a  keen  logician,  good  theologian,  and 
excellent  hiHtor'-i  ^  ^is  debate,  in  1867,  with  Rev.  Thomas  Viek- 
ers  was,  perhaj..  -  uecessful.  Duiang  the  late  unfortunate 
civil  war,  Arcubish..>p  Purcell  was  a  strong  supporter  of  the 
Union.  At  t  ir  C'^uncil  of  the  Vatican  he  sided  with  the  minor- 
ity, and  left  be'ore  .  '^fli.vM  /ote  on  Infallibility  was  taken.  But 
he  has  since  done  all  in  liis  power  to  defend  this  dogma  of  the 
Faith.  On  the  Feast  of  Pentecost,  June  4th,  1876,  the  venerable 
man  celebrated  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  his  ordination.  Two 
Archbishops  and  nine  Bishops  were  present  on  the  occasion  ; 
and  among  the  gifts  received  were  a  golden  goblet  from  Car- 
dinal McCloskey,  two  valuable  crosses,  one  by  the  Bishops  of 
his  province,  the  other  by  the  priests  of  his  archdiocese,  and, 
finally,  a  gold  chalice  from  the  laymen  of  the  archdiocese.* 


MOST  REV.  FRANCIS  NORBERT  BLANCHET,  D.D., 

Archbishop  of  Oregon  City. 


Away  in  the  far  West,  even  on  the  shores  of  the  Pacific,  there 
dwells  one  of  the  apostles  of  our  country.  Francis  Norbert 
Blanchet  was  born  in  the  parish  of  St.  Pierre,  Riviere  du  Sud, 
Province  of  Quebec,  Canada,  on  the  3d  of  September,  1795.  With 
his  brother  (now  tlie  Bishop  of  Nesqualy)  he  made  his  studies 

♦  The  archdiocese  of  Cinciimatl  has  168  priests,  197  churches,  3  coUegus, 
12  academies  and  select  schools,  140  parish  schools,  and  a  Catholic  population 
of  about  240,000. 


Losses,  Gains,  and  Hopes  of  Catholicity.  593 


in  the  Seminary  of  Quebec,  and  was  ordained  on  July  18th, 
1819,  by  Dr.  Plessis,  Archbishop  of  that  city.  After  a  year  spent 
in  the  Cathedral  of  Quebec,  Father  Blanchet  was  sent  on  the 
mission  along  the  coast  of  New  Brunswick.  Here  he  spent  seven 
years — years  of  zealous  apprenticeship  in  the  field  of  hardship 
and  danger.  God  was  preparing  him  for  the  wild  land  be;,  ond 
the  Rocky  Mountains. 

He  was  next  appointed  pastor  of  the  Cedars,  near  Montreal. 
During  the  period  of  the  cholera,  the  charity  and  heroism  of 
Father  Blanchet  were  severely  put  to  the  test.  In  1832,  the 
Protestants  of  his  parish  presented  him  with  two  beautiful  sil- 
ver cups  as  a  token  of  their  admiration  for  his  conduct  in  visit- 
ing the  sick  and  dying  during  tlie  dreadful  pestilence. 

His  career  as  an  American  missionary  began  in  1838.  As  Vicar- 
General  of  the  Archbishop  of  Quebec,*  he  set  out  for  the  Oregon 
mission  in  the  spring  of  that  year.  His  long  journey  from  Mon- 
treal to  Fort  Vancouver  occupied  nearly  seven  months.  Vicar- 
General  Blanchet  and  Rev.  Modesto  Demers  (afterwards  Bishop 
of  Vancouver's  Island)  began  the  work.  For  four  years  these 
two  fearless  priests  toiled  alone.  The  field  was  vast.  But 
neither  rock,  rushing,  nor  savage  wilderness  could  diminish  the 
zeal  of  these  apostolic  men.  Two  missionaries,  in  1842,  came  to 
their  assistance  ;  and  two  years  subsequently,  the  number  was 
still  further  increased  by  the  arrival  of  the  famous  Father  De 
Smet,  S.J.,  and  his  band  of  Jesuits. 

The  mission  of  Oregon  extended  from  California  to  the  Arctic 
Ocean,  and  from  the  Rocky  Mountains  to  the  Pacific.  In  1843, 
tills  wide-spread  territoiy  was  erected  into  a  Vicariate-Apostolic, 
with  Dr.  Blanchet  as  first  Bishop.  He  was  consecrated  at  Mon- 
treal, which  he  reached  by  sailing  around  Capo  Horn,  landing 
in  England,  and  passing  thence  to  Canada.  The  Vicariate  was 
raised  to  an  Ecclesiastical  Province,  in  1846.  Three  new  sees 
were  created.  Dr.  Blanchet  was  named  Archbishop,  and  ap- 
pointed to  the  metropolitan  see  of  Oregon  City.t  His  brother, 
the  Right  Rev.  A.  M.  A.  Blanchet,  Bishop  of  Nesqualy,  and 
Right  Rev.  M.  Demers,  Bishop  of  Vancouver'3  Island,  were  his 
suffragans. 

Like  a  veteran  traveller,  regardless  of  distance,  Arelibishop 
Blanchet,  in  1852,  attended  tho  first  Plenary  Council  of  Balti- 


l! 


m 


ili  \ 


'iiii;:< 


*  Oregon  was  ut  tliat  time  under  the  spiritual  jurisdiction  of  tlic  metropoli- 
tan of  Canada. 

t  By  comparing  dates  it  will  be  seen  that  Oregon  City  is  the  second  oldest 
metropolitan  see  in  the  United  States— couu:,-*  iiunicdiately  after  Baltimore.  , 

3S 


594  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

more.  Three  years  subsequently  the  tireless  and  devoted  man 
visited  South  Ameriea  to  make  collections  for  his  poor  diocese. 
His  journey  was  blessed  with  great  success.  In  1866,  he  attended 
the  Second  Plenary  Council  of  Baltimore,  and  on  July  18tli,  1869, 
he  celebrated  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  his  ordination  to  the 
priesthood.  Four  months  later,  the  venerable  prelate  again  di- 
rected his  steps  eastward — the  voice  of  Pius  IX.  had  summoned 
the  princes  of  the  Church  to  Rome.  At  the  Vatican  Council, 
Dr.  Blanchet  voted  both  for  the  opportuness  and  the  dogma  of 
Papal  Infallibility.  He  was  still  in  the  Eternal  City,  when  it  was 
entered  by  the  army  of  Victor  Emmanuel. 

If  after  the  lapse  of  thirty-seven  years  of  uninterrupted  mis- 
sionary labor,  the  veteran  Archbishop  throws  a  retrospective 
glance  on  the  past,  it  will  be  gratifying  to  him  to  behold  the 
progress  his  mission  has  made.  In  1838,  it  was  but  a  mustard- 
seed.  The  whole  territory  contained  only  two  priests.  To-day, 
in  the  same  field,  there  are  to  be  found  one  archbishop,  four 
bishops,  seventy-two  priests,  one  hundred  and  seven  churches 
and  chapels,  fourcolleges,  eleven  female  academies,  four  orphan- 
ages, and  about  one  hundred  and  twenty-four  Sisters.  Such  is 
the  Avonderful  progress  which  Catholicity  has  made  in  the  mis- 
sion of  Oregon,  in  little  more  than  a  third  of  a  century.  These 
glorious  facts  speak  with  an  eloquence  which  no  words  can  en- 
hance. They  form  a  bright  chap  ''r  in  the  history  of  the  Ameri- 
can Church.  Like  shining  stars  they  cluster  around  the  noble 
and  venerable  figure  of  Francis  Norbert  Blanchet,  the  Apostle 
of  Oregon,  the  Jirst  Archbishop  of  the  Great  West,  and  the  old- 
est American  prelate  who  lives  to  bless  the  Centennial  Anniver- 
sary of  our  Independence. 


MOST  REV.  JAMES  ROOSEVELT  BAYLEY,  D.D., 

ArcJibishop  of  Baltimore. 

James  R.  Bayley  was  born  in  New  York  City,  August  23d,  1814. 
His  parents  on  both  sides  belonged  to  old  colonial  families. 
On  his  father's  side*   his  ancestors  came  from  Norfolkshire, 

*  Archbishop  Bayley's  grandfather.  Dr.  Richard  Bayley,  was  a  disthiguislicd 
physician.  His  life  may  be  found  in  Thatclior's  "  Medical  Biograpliy."  His 
father.  Dr.  (1.  C.  Bayley,  was  also  a  physician.  Tlie  eminent  prelate  is  ancphow 
of  the  famous  Motlier  Scton,  whoKO  miiiden  name  was  Bayley. 


Losses,  Gains,  and  Hopes  of  Catholicity.    595 

England,  about  1690,  and  settled  in  Westchester  county,  N.  Y. ; 
while  on  his  mother's  side  they  came  from  Holland,  and  settled 
at  New  Amsterdam  in  1043. 

lie  graduated  at  Trinity  College,  ITarttord,  and  was  for  some 
time  tutor  there,  lie  afterwards  studied  for  the  Episcopal 
Church,  to  which  both  of  his  parents  belonged,  under  Dr.  Jar- 
vis,  of  Middletown,  Connecticut,  and  was  ordained  a  minister 
of  that  Church.*  His  conversion  was  the  result  of  grace  com- 
bined with  the  studious  research  of  a  truth-loving  mind.  We 
give  this  incident  in  the  words  of  the  distinguished  prelate: 
"Dr.  Jarvis,  my  old  teacher,  was  a  man  of  good  means,  and 
having  intended  to  write  a  history  of  the  Church,  had  collected 
in  Europe,  where  ho  spent  many  years,  one  of  the  best  libraiies 
that  I  ever  saw.  It  contained  all  the  best  editions  of  the  Fathers 
and  ^  he  great  collections  of  ecclesiastical  writers  and  antiquities. 
In  this  large  and  well-chosen  library  I  grazed  for  several  years, 
and  this,  under  God,  was  the  means  of  my  conversion  to  the 
Catholic  Church.  In  writing  on  essay  on  the  Apostolical  canons, 
which  obliged  me  to  study  the  ancient  councils,  I  became  con- 
vinced that  the  Pope  had  much  more  to  do  with  the  govern- 
ment of  the  Church  than  we  were  willing  to  allow.  I  also  acquired 
in  this  library  a  love  for  the  study  of  bibliography,  which  has 
been  one  of  the  pleasures  of  my  life,  but  which  I  have  had  but 
little  leisure  to  pursue  for  many  years  past.^t 

As  soon  as  the  light  of  Faith  flashed  on  his  mind,  with  that 
courage  which  is  inspired  by  the  love  of  truth,  he  joined  the 
Catholic  Church.  He  went  to  Paris,  made  his  studies  at  the 
Seminary  of  St.  Sulpice,  and,  on  his  return,  was  ordained  priest 
by  Dr.  Hughes,  on  March  2d,  1842.  Appointed  professor  of 
helles-lettres  at  St.  John's  College,  Fordham,  Father  Bayley  was 
also  President  of  that  institution  of  learning  during  1845-4G. 
From  1840  to  1853  he  was  secretary  to  Archbishop  Hughes. 

In  the  fall  of  1853,  Dr.  Bayley  was  consecrated  First  Bishop  of 
Newark.  Under  his  able  and  zealous  administration  that  dio- 
cese became  one  of  the  most  prosperous  in  the  United  States. 
He  founded  Seton  Hall  College,  and  built  numerous  schools, 
academies,  convents,  and  churches. 

On  July  30th,  1872,  he  was  elevated  to  the  primatial  see  of 
Baltimore;  in  1875,  in  the  name  of  his  Holiness,  Pius  IX.  ho 


*  As  an  Episcopal  minister.  Rev.  Mr.  Ba5'ley  preuclied  for  a  time  at  Harlem, 
N.  Y.;  but  not  at  Hagerstown,  Maryland,  as  stated  in  Appleton's  American 
Cyclopaedia,"  last  edition. 

+  Letter  to  the  author. 


liilJlM 


59^  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

conferred  the  haretta  on  Cardinal  McCloskey;  and  in  this  Cen- 
tennial year  the  worthy  successor  of  tho  venerable  Carroll  is  the 
pious  and  accomplished  Archbishop  Bayley. 


MOST  REV.  JAMES  F.  WOOD,  D.D., 
Archbishop  of  Philadelphia. 

Tho  Most  Rev.  James  F.  Wood,  Archbishop  of  Philadelphia, 
was  born  in  that  city  on  tho  27th  of  April,  1813.  After  receiving 
his  elementary  education  in  a  school  on  Dock  street,  ho  was  sent, 
in  tho  fall  of  1831,  to  the  grammar  school  of  St.  Mary  de  Crypt, 
at  Gloucester,  England,  where  he  remained  Ave  years. 

Returning  to  his  native  city,  in  1827,  he  went  to  Cincinnati 
and  held  responsible  and  honorable  positions  in  various  bank- 
ing houses.  In  1836,  he  became  a  Catholic,  and  was  baptized  and 
confirmed  by  the  Most  Rev.  Archbishop  Purcell.  During  tho 
following  year  he  went  to  Rome  to  study  for  the  Church.  Ho 
attended  the  Irish  College  for  some  time,  but  finally  entered  tho 
College  of  the  Propaganda,  as  a  subject  of  the  diocese  of  Cincin- 
nati. Father  Wood  was  ordained  priest  by  Cardinal  Franzoni 
on  the  25th  pf  March,  1844.  Returning  to  Cincinnati  the  same 
year,  he  was  appointed  assistant  pastor  at  the  Cathedral,  which 
position  he  filled  for  about  ton  years,  when  he  was  appointed 
pastor  of  St.  Patrick's  church  in  tho  same  city. 

The  zealous  priest  was  consecrated  Coadjutor  Bishop  of  Phila- 
delphia, with  the  right  of  succession  on  the  26th  of  April,  1857, 
by  the  Most  Rev.  Dr.  Purcell.  He  arrived  in  Philadelphia  the 
following  month,  and  took  charge  of  the  financial  affairs  of  the 
diocese.  On  the  death  of  Bishop  Neumann,  in  1860,  Dr.  Wood 
succeeded  to  the  title  and  administration  of  the  diocese. 

The  Diocese  of  Philadelphia  was  divided  in  1868,  and  the 
Dioceses  of  Scranton,  Harrisburg,  and  Wilmington  formed  from 
parts  thereof.  In  1875,  Philadelphia  was  raised  to  the  rank  of  a 
metropolitan  see,  and  on  the  17th  of  June  the  Most  Rev.  James 
F.  Wood  was  invested  with  the  pallium  as  first  Archbishop.* 


*  Philadelphia  is  one  of  the  great  Arehdioccsea  of  this  Republic.  It  has  2l6 
priests,  121  clmrches,  a  splendidly  equipped  seminar}',  3  colleges,  85  academics 
and  select  schools,  51  parochial  schools,  numevous  religious  houses  and  char- 
itable inatitutiourt,  and  a  Catholic  population  of  over  250,000. 


Losses,  Gains y  and  Hopes  of  Catholicity.   597 


MOST  REV.  JOHN  M.  IIENNI,  D.D., 

Archbishop  of  Milwaukee. 

John  Martin  Henni  was  born  in  Switzerland,  in  1805.  When 
still  very  young,  he  wont  to  Rome  to  pursue  his  studies,  but  had 
not  finished  his  theological  course,  when  he  resolved  to  corae  to 
America.  This  he  did  e*^  the  invitation  of  Bishop  Fen  wick,  of 
Cincinnati.  Accompanied  by  a  fellow-student,  Martin  Kundijf, 
he  landed  in  Baltimore  in  1829,  completed  his  studies  at  the 
seminary  of  Bardstown,  and  was  ordained  the  following  year. 
Father  Henni  first  ministered  to  tho  spiritual  wants  of  the 
Catholics  of  Cincinnati.  In  1834,  he  was  appointed  Vicur-Gon- 
oral  by  Archbishop  Puroell.  Besides  his  other  duties,  ho  origi- 
nated and  for  several  years  edited  tho  Wahrheit  Freund,  a  Ger- 
man Catholic  newspaper.  He  was  consecrated  First  Bishop  of 
Milwaukee,  in  1844,  in  tho  old  cathedral  of  Cincinnati.  After 
fourteen  days  of  a  rough-and-tumble  journey,  Dr.  Henni  arrived 
at  his  new  see.  He  entered  his  cathedral — a  miserable  little 
frame  building  30x40.  As  the  Bishop  knelt  down  ho  saw  that 
Mass  was  going  on.  The  celebrant  was  his  friend  and  former 
companion — Father  Kiindig  I  At  this  time,  Milwaukee  and  for 
six  miles  around  could  not  count  2,000  Catholics.  Tho  whole 
diocese  scarcely  contained  8,000.  There  were  five  or  six  priests, 
and  perhaps  as  many  little  huts,  called  churches.  Dr.  Henni 
could  scarcely  say  that  he  was  the  happy  possessor  of  a  dollar, 
and  his  people  were  extremely  poor.  Hero  was  a  field  for  zeal, 
energy,  perseverance.  The  bishop  did  not  lose  courage.  He  beg- 
ged funds  to  enlarge  his  cathedral,  travelled  from  parish  to 
parish,  and  made  his  influence  felt  throughout  his  whole  diocese. 
He  was  the  first  prelate  that  ever  visited  Lapointe,  one  of  the 
famous  missionary  centres  of  the  17th  century.  Here  he  found 
Father  Baraga  and  his  flock  of  Catholic  Chippeways.  The  poor 
Indians  were  overjoyed  to  see  the  chief  blackgown.  The  growth 
of  Catholicity  raised  the  alarm  of  bigots  in  1844,  and  even  Mil- 
waukee felt  the  shock.  A  minister  made  a  bitter  attack  : 
Dr.  Henni  and  his  priests.  The  Bishop  replied  in  an  able 
pamphlet,  entitled  "  Facts  Against  Assertions,"  proving  that  the 
gospel-vender's  unprovoked  attack  was  simi)ly  the  offspring  of 
malice  and  ignorance. 

The  stream  of  German  immigration  set  in  with  a  stoady  and 
increasing  growth  towards  Wisconsin.     The  new-comers  wrote 


nwiii 

ili 


"I 
I 

W 
M 


I 


59^  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 

liomo  to  their  frWfndH  inviting  thorn  to  that  State,  for  nnid  thoy, 
we  have  "a  (l(>rnuin  Hinliop  and  (icrinaii  priests."  In  1850, 
IMf<hop  Ilenni  oHtablished  the  School  Sisters  of  Notn^  J)ani<)  at 
Milwaukee.  Three  yearw  subseciuently  his  now  catlicdrui  \va.s 
consocrtited  by  the  Papal  Nuncio.  However,  one  of  his  crown- 
ing labors  was  the  foun(hition  of  the  Seminary  of  St.  Francis  de 
Sales,  an  institution  which  is  already  the  Alma  Mater  of  nearly 
three  hundred  priests.  In  Juno,  1875,  Dr.  Ilenni  was  invested 
with  the  pallium  as  first  Archbishop  of  Milwaukee.* 


MOST  REV.  JOHN  B.  LAMY,  D.D., 

Archbishop  of  Santa  Ft',  N.  M. 

John  B.  Lainy  was  born  in  1814,  in  the  diocese  of  Clermont, 
Franco.  He  made  his  theological  studies  and  was  ordained  priest 
in  his  native  country.  Coming  to  America  in  1839  with  Dr. 
Purcell,t  the  zealous  young  missionary  was  appointed  to  a  mis- 
sion in  Knox  county,  Ohio,  wliero  for  eight  years  his  labors  were 
blessed  with  many  conversions.  Three  years  more  were  spent 
in  Covington,  Ky.,  when,  in  1850,  Father  Lamy  was  appointed 
by  tlie  Holy  See,  Vicar-Apostolic  of  New  Mexico.  He  was  conse- 
crated in  Cincinnati,  and  immediately  departed  for  his  now 
diocese  by  way  of  New  Orleans  and  Texas.  He  was  shipwrecked 
in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  lost  his  books  and  all  he  possessed. 
After  nine  months  of  toil,  hardship,  and  dangers,  Bishop  Lamy 
reached  Santa  Fc-,  in  tlie  summer  of  1851. 

Though  arrived  at  his  destination,  he  soon  found  himself  sur- 
rounded by  difficulties.  Both  the  clergy  and  people  were  unwil- 
ling to  acknowledge  the  new  prelate's  authority.  The  reason  of 
this  was  that  before  its  annexation  to  the  United  States,  Now 
Mexico  was  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Bishop  of  Dui'ango,  in 
Mexico  ;  and  the  latter  had  not  had  time  to  inform  this  distant 
portion  of  his  flock  of  the  action  of  Rome  in  erecting  the  new 
see  of  Santa  Fe.  The  indefatigable  Dr.  Lamy  set  out  for  Do- 
rango,  and  had  an  interview  with  the  Bishop  of  that  place.  Ho 
returned,  having  performed  a  journey  of  3,000  miles  on  horse- 
back, and  everything  was  amicably  settled. 


*  The  archdiocese  of  Milwaukee  has  300  churches  and  chapels,  202  priests, 
1  semiTiai7,  1  Catholic  normal  school,  8  academies,  and  a  Catholic  population 
of  179,000. 

tNow  Archbishop  of  Cincinnati. 


in 


Losses,  Gaifis,  and  Hopes  of  Catholicity.  599 

In  his  new  (Hooopo  Ijo  found  bnt  few  priests,  while  if  w.is  des- 
tituto  of  oduoational  ostabHslnnonts  of  any  kind,  iho  young 
Hishop  put  his  tuind  to  tho  grand  work  of  building  up  Catho- 
liciity  with  an  onergy  that  cannot  bo  ovor-praised.  His  advfu- 
turos  and  long  journoy,  ovor  tho  vast  plains,  extending  f'n)ui 
Kansas  City  to  Fort  Union  —plains  with  no  inhabitants  savo 
wild  boasts  and  roving  Indians  -  bordern  on  rouianco.  Though 
about  900  uiilos  in  extent,  Dr.  Laujy  crossed  those  plains  twelvo 
times.  In  1852,  lio  obtauiod  a  colony  of  tho  Sisters  of  Loretto 
from  Kentucky,  and  sovon  years  later,  at  his  invitation,  a  band 
of  Christian  lirothers  eamo  from  Franco. 

His  episcopal  visitation  of  Arizona  in  18C3  made  it  necessary 
to  perform  a  jouriu?y  of  nearly  4,000  miles  on  horseback;  and 
tho  fearloss  man  relates  that  ho  was  often  two  weeks  without 
peeing  11  settlement.  On  one  occasion  ho  said  Mass  in  a  straw- 
coverod  cabin  on  tho  top  of  a  hill  near  the  present  site  of  Pros- 
cott,  and  so  intense  was  tho  cold  that  several  times  during  the 
holy  sacrillce  the  water  and  wine  had  to  bo  taken  to  tho  tiro  to 
bo  liquified. 

In  1866,  after  the  Second  Plenary  Council  of  Baltimore,  its 
Acts  were  intrusted  to  Bishop  Lamy  to  bear  to  l?omo  for  tho 
approval  of  our  Holy  Father,  Pius  IX,  On  his  ret  n  in  ho  further 
enriched  his  diocoso  by  bringing  with  him  several  Jesuit  Fathers, 
Christian  Brothers,  Sisters  of  Loretto,  and  Sisters  of  Charity. 
In  this  journey  over  the  plains  the  caravan  was  twice  attacked 
by  the  Indians,  one  of  these  fights  lasting  ov»t  two  hours,  during 
which  the  sound  of  rifles  and  the  whistling  of  bullets  made  the 
situation  very  unpleasant. 

In  the  spring  of  1875,  Santa  FC  was  raised  to  the  rank  of  a 
metropolitan  see;  and  in  Juno  of  tho  same  year,  Archbishop 
Lamy  received  the  pallium  from  tho  hands  of  Right  Rev.  I)r. 
Salpointo  and  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Machobouf. 

Tho  apostolic  labors  of  Dr.  Lamy  in  New  Mexico  for  more  than 
a  quarter  of  a  century  have  been  singularly  blessed.  The 
diocese  where  he  found  so  little,  now  possesses  86  priests,  6  con- 
vents, 1  chartered  college,  1  female  academy,  various  institu- 
tions of  charity,  and  a  Catholic  population  of  about  100,000.* 


!'■    i 


!    'i 


lilt 


ili'iij 


I  3 

I 


m 


*  Of  these  90,000  are  Mexicans,  8,000  Indians,  and  the  remainder  Americans. 


6cx)  Catholicity  in  the  United  States. 


MOST  REV.  JOHN  J.  LYNCH,  CM.,  D.D., 

Archhisliop  of  Toronto,   Canada. 

John  Joseph  Lynch  was  born  in  1816,  near  Clones  county, 
Monaghaii,  Ireland.  In  his  seventeenth  year  he  began  his  higher 
course  of  studies  at  St.  Vincent's  College,  Castleknock.  Three 
years  subsequently,  he  entered  the  Congregation  of  the  Priests 
of  the  Mission,  and  was  sent  to  Paris  to  complete  his  theological 
course.  In  1843,  he  was  ordained  priest  at  Maynooth  College 
by  Most  Rev.  Dr.  Murray,  Archbishop  of  Dublin.  He  then  re- 
mained three  years  as  Professor  in  the  College  at  Castleknock. 
In  1846,  Father  Lynch  obtained  permission  to  labor  on  the 
^unerican  Mission,  in  Texas,  with  Dr.  Odin,  afterwards  Arch- 
bishop of  New  Orleans.  He  pursued  this  course  in  obedience  to 
what  he  regarded  as  a  divine  call  to  devote  his  services  to  the 
thousands  of  neglected  Irish  Catholics  scattered  throughout  this 
Republic.  For  several  years  he  toiled  zealously,  built  a  church 
at  Houston,  traversed  the  country,  preaching  and  converting 
many  to  the  faith,  and  was  finally  stricken  down  by  a  malignant 
fever,  which  nearly  carried  him  to  the  tomb. 

In  the  autumn  of  1848,  he  was  appointed  Superior  of  St. 
Mary's  Seminary  at  the  Barrens,  Perry  county,  Ohio.  Hero,  Dr. 
Lynch  established  an  admirable  system  of  discipline,  and  among 
other  favors  obtained  from  Pius  IX.  an  indulgence  of  100  days 
for  the  students  each  time  they  piously  studied  before  their  pre- 
fect of  discipline,  who  was  simply  a  little  statue  of  the  Most 
Blessed  Virgin  placed  in  the  study  hall !  At  the  urgent  solicita- 
tion of  Bishop  Timon,  of  Buffalo,  he  founded  a  house  of  his 
Congregation  in  that  diocese,  in  1856.  It  was  the  Seminary  of 
Our  Lady  of  Angels,  near  Niagara  Falls.  By  his  untiring  zeal 
and  ability,  this  institution  was  placed  on  a  firm  footing,  when, 
in  1859,  he  was  appointed  coadjutor  Bishop  of  Toronto,  Canada. 
In  the  following  year  he  succeeded  Dr.  De  Charbonel,  as  incum- 
bent of  that  see. 

Dr.  Lynch  attended  the  Vatican  Council,  and,  in  1870,  was 
appointed  first  Archbishop  of  Toronto  and  Metropolitan  of  On- 
tario. His  labors  in  the  cause  of  religion  and  education  in  his 
new  and  higher  sphere  of  action  need  not  be  dwelt  upon.  Undtr 
his  rule  the  Faith  flourishes.  As  a  writer,  Dr.  Lynch  is  noted  for 
terseness  and  pointed  vigor  of  style.  If  there  is  anything 
epocially  remorkfble  in  his  character,  it  is  great  love  for  little 
children,  doop  faith,  and  ardent  i)atriotism.  In  behalf  of  his  native 


!  ■■« 


Losses  J  Gains,  and  Hopes  of  Catholicity.     60 1 

land  he  has  never  ceased  to  raise  his  voice.  Ho  is  known  as  the 
great  Irish  Archbishop  of  Canada.  Tlius  the  land  where  the 
immortal  Brebeuf  taught  the  Hurons,  and  bedewed  with  his 
blood,  is  to-day  under  the  spiritual  jurisdiction  of  a  prelate  ani- 
mated by  the  lofty  piety  that  distinguished  the  Ages  of  Faith. 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  LOUGHLIN,  D.D., 
Bishop  of  Brooklyn,  L.  I. 

John  Loughlin  was  born  in  the  County  Monaghan,  Ireland ; 
came  to  America  at  an  early  age ;  made  his  theological  studios  at 
Mount  St.  Mary's  College,  Emmittsburg;  and  was  ordained  by 
Bishop  Hughes  in  the  fall  of  1840.  He  at  once  began  the  exer- 
cise of  the  holy  ministry  in  New  York,  and  for  years  proved  his 
devotedness  in  that  most  trying  of  all  missions — an  extensive 
parish  in  a  crowded  city.  He  was  soon  raised  to  the  responsiblo 
position  of  Vicar-General ;  and  in  the  fall  of  1853,  was  conse- 
crated first  Bishop  of  Brooklyn,  by  Archbishop  Bedini.  His 
diocese  was  Long  Island,  named  by  the  early  Catholic  navigators, 
Isle  of  the  Apostles. 

Bishop  Loughlin's  twenty-three  years'  episcopate  has  been 
marked  by  the  rapid  and  continued  progress  of  the  Faith.  In 
Brooklyn  alone  he  has  dedicated  about  three  dozen  churches. 
Catholic  institutions  of  charity  or  education,  crown  nearly 
every  elevation  in  the  "  City  of  Churches."  He  introduced  the 
Visitation  Nuns,  the  Psters  of  St,  Joseph,  Franciscan  Brothers, 
Sisters  of  Mercy,  Sisters  of  the  Good  Shepherd,  Little  Sisters  of 
the  Poor,  and  several  other  religious  orders.  In  June,  1868,  he 
laid  the  corner-stone  of  the  Cathedral  of  the  Immaculate  Con- 
ception in  the  presence  of  five  bishops  and  about  forty  thou- 
sand people.  Many  years  will  be  required  to  complete  this 
great  structure.  Its  dimensions  are — length,  354  foot;  breadth, 
180;  height  of  towers,  350.  The  style  of  architecture  is  the 
French  Gothic  of  the  thirteenth  century.  Under  the  rule  of 
Bishop  Loughlin,  the  diocese  of  Brooklyn  has  become  one  of 
the  most  important  in  this  Republic,  numbering  112  priests,  90 
churches  and  chapels,  2  colleges,  6  academies,  34  parish  schools, 
and  a  Catholic  population  of  over  200,000.  There  is  eloquence 
in  these  figures,* 

*  The  writer  intended  to  give  brief  biograpliical  sketches  of  all  the  livin  j^  nrch- 
bishops  of  the  Catholic  Church  in  the  United  States  ;  but  owine:  to  viirioiis  cir- 
cumstances, upon  which  it  is  unnecessary  to  dwell,  lie  wa.s  obli^^id  to  omit 
four. 


!: 


iii: 


6o2  Catholicity  in  the  United  States, 


O,  A.  BROWNSON,  LL.D. 


We  began  our  sketches  with  the  life  of  America's  discoverer  ; 
and  we  conclude  them  with  the  life  of  one  of  the  most  remark- 
able men  produced  by  America.  Orestes  Augustus  Brownson 
was  born  at  Stockbridge,  Vermont,  in  1803.  "  From  the  dawn 
of  reason,"  writes  one  who  knew  him  well,  "  he  was  a  philoso- 
pher, never  a  child,  thinking,  dref„ming  in  an  ideal  world,  read- 
ing the  few  books  he  could  find — especially  King  James'  English 
Bible,  which  he  almost  learned  by  heart— never  playing  with 
other  children  and  enjoying  very  scanty  advantages  of  school- 
ing. After  his  fourteenth  year  he  lived  near  Saratoga,  N.  Y., 
and  worked  hard  for  his  own  maintenance.  At  nineteen  we  find 
him  in  an  academy  in  the  town  of  Ballston — a  privilege  which 
we  believe  he  purchased  with  the  hard  earnings  of  his  industry. 
At  this  time  from  an  impulse  of  religious  sentiment,  he  sought 
for  baptism  and  admission  into  the  Presbyterian  Church,  which 
he  very  soon  found  an  uncongenial  home,  and  exchanged  for 
another  sect  at  the  opposite  pole  of  Protestantism,  that  of  the 
Universalists,  among  whom  he  became  a  preacher  at  the  age  of 
twenty-one.  The  subsequent  period  of  his  life  until  he  had 
passed  somewhat  beyond  his  fortieth  year — that  is,  until  1844 — 
was  marked  by  various  phases  of  rationalism,  and  filled  with 
active  labors  in  preaching,  lecturing,  writing,  and  editing  vari- 
ous periodicals,  all  carried  on  with  restless  energy  and  untiring 
industry.  He  was  married  early  in  life  to  an  amiable  and  in- 
telligent lady  who  was  a  perfect  wife  and  mother,  and  after  her 
conversion  a  perfect  Christian  ;  and  the  six  children  who  lived 
to  grow  up,  five  of  whom  were  sons,  all  received  an  excellent 
education."* 

In  1844,  Dr.  Brownson  became  a  Catholic.  He  was  led  to  this 
step  by  the  conviction  that  Jesus  Christ  founded  the  Catholic 
Church  as  the  perpetual  teacher,  guide,  and  ruler  of  men  and 
nations,  and  settled  himself  in  his  only  true  vocation  as  an  ex- 
ponent and  advocate  of  her  doctrines  by  means  of  his  written 
works.  Of  the  merits  of  his  literary  productions  we  have  already 
spoken.  It  was  as  a  Catholic  publicist  that  he  became  a  truly 
great  man,  and  achieved  a  great  work  for  which  he  deserves  to 
be  held  in  lasting  remembrance.  To  this  work  the  last  thirty 
years  of  his  life  were  devoted  with  a  gigantic  energy,  which  di- 


*  The  Catholic  Worhl,  Vol.  XXIII. 


^n 


ij    BV 


^ 


Losses,  Gai?:s,  and  Hopes  of  Catholicity.  603 

minished  towards  the  end  under  the  influence  of  advancing  age 
and  enfeebled  health,  but  never  ''^olly  flagged  until  the  ap- 
proach of  death  gradually  quenched  and  at  last  extinguished 
the  vital  flame  of  his  existence.*  At  one  period  of  his  life  Dr. 
Brown,  m  was  invited  by  John  Henry  Newman,  D.D.,  and 
others  to  accept  a  chair  in  the  Catholic  University  of  Ireland, 
but  he  preferred  to  continue  his  labors  in  this  country.  He  died 
in  his  seventy-third  year,  on  Easter  Monday,  April  17th,  1876. 

Of  his  vast  scholarship  and  philosophical  system,  this  is 
scarcely  the  place  to  speak.  It  must  suffice  to  say  that  he  was 
the  most  illustrious  convert  which  this  Republic  hap  given  to 
Catholicity  ;  and  by  far  the  most  powerful  lay  champion  which 
the  Catholic  Church  in  America  has  yet  seen.  "  From  the  time 
of  his  conversion,"  says  the  writer  first  quoted,  "  he  s/as  not  only 
a  loyal,  but  a  pious  and  practical  Catholic,  constan't^ly  receiving 
the  sacraments,  and  making  his  salvation  the  chief  object  to  bo 
attained  in  life.  There  can  be  no  doubt  that  he  lived  and  died 
a  just  man,  full  of  merit,  and  sure  of  a  high  place  in  Heaven,  as 
well  as  on  the  scroll  of  honor  where  the  names  of  the  great  men 
of  the  age  are  inscribed  by  the  verdict  of  their  fellows. 

"  Some  three  or  four  years  ago,  a  little  daughter  of  one  of  Dr. 
Brownson's  intimate  friends,  who  was  visiting  his  family,  after 
gazing  intently  at  him  for  some  moments,  exclaimed  :  '  Is  he  not 
like  a  great  lion  V  Nothing  could  be  more  graphic,  or  accurate 
than  this  sudden  and  happy  stroke  of  a  child's  wit.  We  never 
saw  Dr.  Brownson  or  read  one  of  his  great  articles  without  think- 
ing of  the  mien  or  roar  of  a  majestic  lion  ;  and  we  have  never 
seen  a  remarkably  fine  lion  without  thinking  of  Dr.  Brownson. 
His  physique  -was  entirely  correspondent  to  his  intellectual  and 
moral  power,  and  his  great  head  crowning  like  a  dome  his  mas- 
sive figure  and  surrounded  in  old  age  with  a  mass  of  white  hair 
and  beard  like  a  snowy  Alp  made  him  a  grand  and  reverend  ob- 
ject to  look  at,  such  as  we  might  picture  to  ourselves  Plato,  St. 
Jerome,  or  St.  Bruno,  "t 


*  The  Caiholic  World,  Vol.  XXIII. 
tibid. 


i 


1^1: 


] 
] 
] 
] 
] 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 

V 

ll 
1( 
1( 
1< 
1( 
1( 
le 
If 
u 
le 

16 
16 
16 
16 
1& 
16- 
1(5' 
16; 

m 
m 

16£ 


CATHOLIC  CHRONOLOGY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

A.D. 

1492  0'-Mimbu8  discovered  America. 

1498  The  Cabots  sail  along  the  Atlantic  coast. 

1499  Amerigo  Vespucii  visited  South  America. 
1510  Ojeda  settled  Darien. 

1513  Ponce  de  Leon  discovered  Florida. 
1513  De  Balboa  discovered  the  Pacific. 
1518  Garay  explored  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

1531  Cortez  conquered  Mexico. 

1534  Verazzani  explored  the  Atlantic  coast  of  the  U.  S. 

1532  De  Vaca  crossed  the  continent. 
1534  Cartier  discovered  Canada. 

1539  Expedition  of  Friar  Mark,  O.S.F. 
1541  De  Soto  discovered  the  Mississippi. 
1543  Death  of  De  Soto. 
1543  Coronado's  expedition  into  New  Mexico. 

1543  Death  of  Father  Padilla  and  Brother  John,  O.S.F. 

1544  Father  de  Olmos,  O.S.F,,  In  Texas. 
1547  Death  of  Father  Louis  Cancer,  O.S.D. 

1564  The  City  of  St.  Augustine  founded  by  Melendez. 

1565  Father  Martinez,  S.J.,  killed. 

1570  Father  Segura,  S.J.,  and  8  Jesuits  killed  in  Maryland. 

1601  First  Mass  in  California. 

1604  Cham  plain  discovered  the  Penobscot  Bay. 

1608  Eight  thousand  Catholic  Indians  in  New  Mexico. 

1609  Champlain  discovered  Lake  Champlain. 
1613  Mission  at  Mount  Desert  Island,  Maine. 
1613  Brother  Du  Thet,  S.J.,  killed. 

1615  Champlain  discovered  Lake  Ontario. 

1615  The  Pyanciscans  first  arrive  in  Canada. 

1615  Opening  of  the  Huron  Missions  by  Father  Le  Caron,  O.S.F. 

1635  The  Jesuits' first  arrive  in  Canada. 

1626  Father  Brebeuf,  S.J.,  went  on  the  Huron  mission. 

1634  Father  White,  S.  J.,  in  Maryland. 

1634  Maryland  settled  by  Lord  Baltimore. 

1642  Fathers  Jogueu  and  Raymbault,  S.J.,  preach  atSault  Ste.  Marie,  Mich. 

1643  Father  Jogues,  S.J.,  captured. 

1644  Father  Bressani,  S.J.,  mutilated. 

1646  Father  Jogues,  S.J.,  killed  on  the  Mohawk. 

1646  Abnaki  missions  opened  by  Father  Druillettcs,  S.J. 

1646  Father  de  Nouc,  S.J..  frozen  to  death. 

1648  Father  Daniel,  S.  J.,  killed  by  the  Iroquois. 

ltM9  Fathers  Brebeuf,  Lallement,  and  Gamier.  S.J.,  killed. 

1649  Death  of  Father  Chabanel,  S.J. 

1653  Father  Le  Moyne,  S.  J.,  discovered  the  Onondaga  Salt  Springs,  N.  Y. 

1653  First  Mass  in  the  State  of  New  York. 

1654  Penal  laws  against  Catholics  enforced  in  Maryland. 
1656  Father  Garreau,  B.J.,  killed  by  the  Iroquois. 

(605) 


I'!! 


i; 


il:: 


1; 


1 1 


11 


6o6  CatJwlicity  in  the   United  States, 


16GI  Death  of  Father  Menard,  S.J,  • 

1665  Death  of  Father  Le  Moyne,  S.J. 

16(58  The  Je?iiit  Fathers  establish  ipissions  among  the  Iroquois. 

1673  Dentil  of  Father  Bressanl,  S.J. 

1673  Father  Marquette,  S.J.,  discovered  the  Mississippi. 

1674  Diocese  of  Quebec  founded. 
1G75  Death  of  Father  Marquette,  S.J. 
1076  La  Salle  discovered  the  Ohio. 

1679  La  Salle's  ship  sails  up  the  Lakes. 

1680  Father  Hennepin,  O.S.F.,  explored  the  Upper  Mississippi. 

1681  Death  of  Father  DruUlettes,  S.J 

16S3  La  Salle  explored  tlie  Mississippi  to  the  Qulf . 
1683  The  Iroquois  missions  closed. 
1683  Governor  Dongan  rules  New  York. 
1686  Death  of  Father  Membr6,  O.S.F. 

1686  First  Catholic  chapel  in  Philadelphia. 

1687  Death  of  La  Salle,  the  great  explorer. 
16'.K)  Death  of  Father  AUouez,  S.J. 

1695  Death  of  Father  Dablon,  S.J. 

1695  Death  of  Fatlier  Chaumonot,  S.J. 

1700  Flourishing  Indian  Missions  in  Lower  California  under  the  Jesuits. 

1703  Detroit  founded  by  the  French. 

1734  Father  Rale,  S.  J.,  kUlod  by  the  English.  . 
1727  The  Ursuline  Nuns  at  New  Orleans. 

1730  Chicago,  the  famous  Catholic  Illinois  Chief,  lived  at  this  date. 

1735  Death  of  JoUiet  about  this  time. 
1735  Birth  of  Archbishop  Carroll. 

1755  Seven  thousand  Catholic  Acadians  scattered  along  the  Atlantic  coast 
by  the  English. 

1769  Father  Juniper  Serra,  O.S.F.,  opened  the  missions  of  Upper  California. 

1771  Twelve  priests  celebrate  Corpus  Christi  in  the  beautiful  valleys  of  Mont- 
erey, California. 

1776  Father  Serra,  O.S.F.,  founded  San  Francisco. 

1776  Catholics  of  Maryland  emancipated. 

1784  Death  of  Father  Serra,  O.S.F. 

1784  Dr.  Carroll  appointed  Prefect-Apostolic  of  the  U.  S. 

1789  Dr.  Carroll  appointed  Bishop  of  the  United  States. 

1789  Georgetown  College  founded. 

1790  Four  Carmelite  Nuns  arrive  in  Maryland.  { 

1790  The  Augustinian  Fathers  enter  the  United  States. 

1791  St.  Mary's  Seminar^',  Baltimore,  founded. 

1791  Ordination  of  Father  Badin,  the  first  priest  ordained  in  the  United  States. 

1798  Diocese  of  New  Orleans  established. 

1795  Prince  Gallitzin,  the  second  priest  ordained. 

1800  Fatlier  Leonard  Neale  consecrated  Bishop — the  first  prelate  consecrated 

in  the  United  States. 
1808  Baltimore  became  a  Metropolitan  See. 
1808  New  York  erected  into  a  diocese. 
1808  Boston  erected  into  a  diocese. 

1808  Bardstowii  erected  into  ft  diocese. 

1809  Fliiladelitliia  erected  into  a  diocese. 


Catholic  Chronology  of  the  United  States,  607 


1809  Mount  St.  Mary's  College  founded. 

1809  Mother  Seton  founds  the  Sisters  of  Charity. 

1815  Death  of  Archbishop  Carroll. 

1820  D    lese  of  Charleston,  8.  C,  established. 

I8."l  Diocese  of  Richmond  established. 

1822  Diocese  of  Cincinnati  established. 

1822  U.  S.  Catholic  Miscellany  founded  by  Bishop  England. 

1824  Diocese  of  Mobile  established. 

1825  Death  of  Bishop  Connolly. 

1826  Diocese  of  St.  Louis  established. 
1829  First  Provincial  Council  of  Baltimore. 
1832  Death  of  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton. 
1832  Diocese  of  Detroit  established. 

1834  Diocese  of  Vinccnnes  established. 

1836  Death  of  Cardinal  de  Chcverus. 

1837  Diocese  of  Nashville  established. 
1837  Diocese  of  Natchez  established. 
1837  Diocese  of  Dubuque  established. 

1839  Death  of  Bishop  Brutd. 

1840  Death  of  Prince  Gallitzin. 

1841  St.  John's  College,  Fordham,  founded. 

1842  Death  of  Bishop  England. 

1843  Diocese  of  Little  Rock  established. 
1843  Diocese  of  Pittsburg  established. 

1843  Death  of  Bishop  Rosati. 

1844  Diocese  of  Hartford  established. 
1844  Diocese  of  Milwaukee  established. 
1844  Diocese  of  Chicago  established. 

1846  Metropolitan  See  of  Oregon  City  established. 

1847  Diocese  of  Buffalo  established. 

1847  Metropolitan  See  of  St.  Louis  established. 

1847  Diocese  of  Albany  established. 

1847  Diocese  of  Cleveland  established. 

1847  Diocese  of  Galveston  established. 

1850  Metropolitan  See  of  New  York  established. 

1850  Metropolitan  See  of  Cincinnati  established. 

1850  Metropolitan  See  of  New  Orleans  established. 

1850  Diocese  of  Santa  Fe  established. 

1850  Diocese  of  Monterey  established. 

1850  Diocese  of  Nesqually  established. 

1850  Diocese  of  St.  Paul  established. 

1850  Diocese  of  Savannah  established. 

1850  Diocese  of  Wheeling  established. 

1852  First  Plenary  Council  of  Baltimore. 

1853  Bishop  O'Reilly  lost  at  sea. 

1853  Diocese  of  Brooklyn,  L.  I.,  established. 
1853  Diocese  of  Covington  established. 
1853  Diocese  of  Newark  established. 
1853  Diocese  of  Burlington  established. 
1853  Diocese  of  Erie  established. 
1853  Diocese  of  Natchitochcj  established. 


i  ; 


i; 


6o8 


Catholicitv .  in  the  United  States. 


1853  Metropolitan  Sec  of  San  Francisco  established. 
1855  Dioceae  of  Portland  established. 
1857  Diocese  of  Marquette  established. 
1857  Diocese  of  Fort  Wayne  established. 

1857  Diocese  of  Alton  established. 

1858  Corner-stone  of  St.  Patrick's  Cathedral,  New  York  City,  laid. 
1858  Death  of  Bishop  Baraga. 

1860  Death  of  Bishop  Nenmann. 

1863  Death  of  Archbishop  Kenrick. 

1864  Death  of  Archbishop  Hughes. 

1866  Second  Plenar}'  Council  of  Baltimore. 

1867  Death  of  Bishop  Timon. 

1868  Diocese  of  Green  Bay,  established. 
1868  Diocese  of  Harrisburg  established. 
1868  Dioceae  of  Rochester  established. 
1868  Diocese  of  Scrantou  established. 
1868  Diocese  of  La  Crosse  established. 
1868  Diocese  of  Columbus  established. 
1868  Diocese  of  St.  Joseph  established. 
1868  Diocese  of  Wilmington  established. 

1868  Diocese  of  Grass  Valley  established. 

1869  Council  of  the  Vatican,  Rome. 

1870  Diocese  of  Springfield  established. 
1870  Diocese  of  St.  Augustine  established. 
187^  Diocese  of  Ogdensburg  established. 
1873  Diocese  of  Providence  established. 

1872  Death  of  Archbishop  Spalding. 

1873  Deatli  of  Bishop  O'Connor. 

1873  Death  of  Father  de  Smet,  S.J. 

1874  Diocese  of  San  Antonio  established. 

1875  Archbishop  McCloskey  created  Cardinal. 
1875  Metropolitan  See  of  Boston  established. 
1875  M  etropolitan  See  of  Milwaukee  established. 
1875  Metropolitan  See  of  Santa  Fc  established. 

1875  M  etropolitan  See  of  Philadelphia  established. 

1876  Diocese  of  Alleghany  City  established. 
1876  Death  of  Dr.  O.  A.  Brownson. 

1876  Archbishop  Purcell  celebrated  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  his  ordination. 
1876  Centennial  Year  of  American  Independence. 


APPENDIX. 


1    .1 


¥ 


NOTE  A. 

For  throe  hundred  years  the  discoverer  of  America  did  not  enjoy  the  renown 
he  60  richly  deserved.  It  is  only  during  the  lasst  quarter  of  a  century  that  en- 
tire justice  liiis  been  done  him.  Amerigo  Ve9i)uccl,  by  writing  a  pretentious 
booli,  succeeded  in  giving  his  own  name  to  tlie  discoveries  of  Columbus.  His- 
torians continued  the  injustice.  From  the  most  unworthy  motives,  they 
heaped  calumny  after  calumny  on  the  name  of  the  great  Admiral.  The  glor)' 
of  Tunipiishing  tln.sc;  slanderers  belongs  to  the  learned  Count de  Lorgucs.  His 
"  C!ros8  in  'I'wo  ^Vorlds,"  which  was  published  in  18M,  was  the  first  unan- 
Bwerablc  work  that  threw  a  clear  light  on  Columbus.  Pius  IX.  tools  such  inter- 
est in  the  subject,  that  His  IIulincRS  encouraged  the  Count  to  write  a  history 
of  the  great  man.  The  result  was  De  Lorgues'  "  Life  of  Columbus,"  an  ad- 
mirable work  which  appeared  over  twenty  years  ago,  and  received  the  blessing 
of  the  Pope. 

The  complete  works  of  Columbus  were  published  at  Lyons,  France,  by 
Torre,  in  1804.  Had  he  not  been  a  great  discoverer,  he  might  have  become  an 
eminent  poet.  His  ardent  imagination  threw  a  magnificence  over  his  whole 
course  of  thought.  His  ideas  are  often  as  striking  as  they  are  beautiful.  "A 
poetical  temperament,"  saj'S  Irving,  "is  discernible  throughout  all  his  writ- 
ings. We  see  it  in  his  descriptions  of  the  beauties  of  the  wild  lands  lie  was 
discovering  ;  in  the  enthusiasm  with  which  he  extols  the  verdure  of  the  forests, 
tiie  grandeur  of  the  niouutaius,  the  crystal  clearness  of  the  running  streams, 
and  the  fragrance  of  the  air,  'full  of  dew  and  sweetness.'  " 

The  cause  of  the  canonization  of  Columbus  has  gone  so  far  that  W(!  may 
ardently  hope  for  its  ultimate  success.  In  1S()5,  tlu;  Count  de  Lorgues,  Avhilc 
at  Rome,  had  an  interview  with  the  illustrious  Pius  IX.,  as  to  (he  propriety  of 
instituting  proceedings  for  that  purpose,  "  There  is  no  harm  in  trying,"  said  the 
Pope.  Since  that  time  many  of  the  most  distinguished  prelates  of  Europe  and 
America  have  taken  the  liveliest  interest  in  hastening  the  process.  Prom- 
inent among  these  is  Cardinal  Donnet,  Archbishop  of  Bordeaux.  The  Provin- 
cial Council  of  Poitiers,  presided  over  by  Cardiual  Donnet,  drew  up  a  petition 
for  the  canonization  of  Columbus,  signed  by  all  the  bishops  present.  It  was 
transmitted  to  the  Holy  See.  More  than  fifty  similar  documents  have  been 
sent  to  Rome  from  vario:'s  countries.  Nothing  but  the  imtimely  termination 
of  the  Vatican  Council  prevented  the  assembled  Fathers  from  havingthis  sub- 
ject brought  before  them  in  due  form,  for  discussion.  In  fact,  a  petition  hav- 
ing such  an  object  was  drawn  up  by  Cardinal  Donnet,  and  signed  by  many  of 
the  Prelates. 

The  eminent  Count  de  Lorgues  in  his  latest  work,  "  The  Ambassador  of  God 
and  Pius  IX.,''*  strongly  urges  the  early  canonization  of  the  renowned  Admiral. 
Indeed,  what  more  proper  than  that  Pius  IX.,  the  only  Pope  who  was  ever  in 
America,  should  canonize  the  saintly  and  heroic  discoverer  of  America! 


♦  "  L'Ambaseadeur  de  Bleu  i^f  ]-.  Pflpe  Via  JH:      lariJ.  iSTl 

39  '^OOO) 


6io 


y 


Ippciidix. 


NOTE  B. 

Acconliti;,'  to  llio  ceiisiis  of  1870,  Miorc  were,  residing  iu  the  Unitocl  Rtates 
1,855,771)  persons  of  all  bclipfs,  who  were  horn  in  Iroliind  ;  and  l,690,5;i3  who 
were  born  in  Germany. 

The  eight  States  containinj^tho  largest  miniln'rof  persons  of  Irish  birth  were  ; 


New  York,  528,800. 
I'ennhvlvunia,  t>a5,7")0. 
MnsHaehuHcttH,  ;316,130. 
Illinois,  1;.'0,101. 


New  Jcrsov,  80,784. 
Ohin,  8'.',(174. 
Conneeticiit,  70,«i;iO. 
California,  :A,ViA. 


The  eight  States  containing  the  largest  number  f)f  natives  of  Geiinany  were  : 


New  York,  810,903. 
Illinois,  203,758. 
Ohio,  182,807. 
Wiseonsin,  162,314. 


Missouri,  113,018. 
Indiana,  78,000. 
Pcnn.sylvania,  60,146. 
Iowa,  (M],162. 


The  Irisli  and  their  descendants  have  given  the  Catliolic  Church  of  the  Uni- 
ted States  the  majority  of  its  clergy.  As  an  histance,  it  may  be  stated  that 
there  are  to-day,  400  jpriests  in  this  Repiiblie  bearing  only  nineteen  Irish  names. 
They  arc  ns  follows  : 

Brennan,  15.  Murphy,  33, 

Brady,  2ri.  O'Brien,  24. 

Carroll,  13.  O'Couuor,  24. 

Doherty,  16.  O'Neill,  18. 

Kelly,  35.  O'Reilly,  34. 

Lynch,  21.  O'Sullivan,  18. 

McCarthy,  15.  Quinn,  16. 

McGnire,  14.  Ryan,  31. 

MeMann.s,  14.  Walsh,  33. 

Meagher,   14. 
Most  other  natioualitiefi  furnish  only  a  few  priests  bearing  the  same  name. 


NOTE  C. 

Two  points  frequently  discussed  are :  (1).  Wliatare  the  relative  proportions  of 
the  Celtic  and  the  Anglo-Saxon  or  English  element  in  the  population  of  the 
United  States  V  (2).  How  many  members  has  the  Catholic  Church  probably 
lost  in  this  country  ?  In  regard  to  the  first  question,  there  can  be  no  doubt 
that  the  Celtic  clement  far  exceeds  that  of  the  Anglo-Saxon.  This  is  a  settled 
fact.  A  careful  analysis  of  our  statistics  proves  it.  Just  a  quarter  of  a  century 
ago  the  Hon.  William  E.  Robinson,  in  a  remarkal)le  speech  at  Hamilton  Col- 
lege, Clint()\i,  -V,  Y.,  said  :  "I  think  it  would  be  quite  good-natured  in  me  to 
allow  that  al)out  onc-eUjhfh  of  this  country  is  English,  or  what  is  called  Anglo- 
Saxon."  By  means  of  statistics  he  then  clearly  demonstrated  the  correctness 
of  this  opinion.  (See  New  York  Dalbi  Trlbunr,  July  oOth,  1851.)  Rev.  Stephen 
Byrne,  O.S.D.,  in  his  "Irish  Emigration  to  tlu' United  States,"  1873,  puts  the 
Celtic  element  at  oue-halfot  our  present  population,  the  Anglo-Saxon  at  one- 
fourth.  The  New  York  Irish  ^Yorl^^,  whose  editor,  Mr.  Ford,  is  well  known 
as  a  diligent  student  of  statistics,  holds  ihwi  tm>-thirdf  of  our  people  are  Celts 
by  birth,  or  descent,  and  only  about  one-ninth  are  Anglo-Saxon. 

As  to  the  Church's  loss  in  the  United  States,  it  is  no  easy  problem  to  solve, 
Neither  higher  algebra  uor  calculus  can  help  us  to  grapple  with  it.  The  geol- 
ogists say  \\\'\t  yas^t  time  in  long.  As  toitscjyrrMength,  they  hesitate  to  put  it  into 


y 


ly- 


\ppcit(U.\ 


6n 


flgurc'B,  or  when  they  do,  scarcelj'  two  arc  allki'.  It  iti  the  Rame  with  th»i 
American  h)Ba  to  the  Faitli.  Tiie  earnest  student  of  our  liistory  la  obliged  t<> 
e<infeB8  tlmt  i7  wnn  large  ;  biitliow  large  It  may  have  been,  is  an  unsettled  ([iies- 
tlon.  The  !n»h  Wurld  of  July  25111,  1874,  maintained  that  IH.OOO.OOO  have  been 
lost  to  Catholicity  in  this  Kepuldic!.  It  backed  up  this  aBsortion  with  the  fol 
lowing  tabic,  wliich,  1  believe,  is,  in  the  main,  reliable  : 


TABLE   SHOWING   Till':   KULATlVi:  rUOPORTlONrt  OK  TUE  CONBTITCENT   ELEMKNT9 
OK  THE  rOl'ULATION   OF   TUB   U.    8.    IN  1870. 

In   Which  in  Indicated  the  Number  of  Catholics  that  Should  be  in  the  Country 

Now,  (1874.) 

I.— Total  white  population  of  the  thirteen  Colonies  at  the  elosi- 

the  Kevoluti(jnary  War ;^>,17'J,000 

11.— Relative  proportions  of  the  eonstituent  eienuMits  in  the  Colo- 
nial   population :     Celtic    (Irish,   ticoteh,    Welsh,    French, 

etc.) l,*Mi,'M) 

(Irish  separak'ly 1 ,141 ,98() 

Ansrlo-Saxon ..." 841 ,800 

Dutch  and  Scandinavians 427,000 

Ill.-Produet,  in  1870,  of  the  population  of  1700 0,490,000 

rV.— Product,  in  1870,  of  the  separate  clemcnta  of  the  pop- 
ulation of  1700  : 

Celtic 5,007,000  ^ 

(Irisli  scparatclv) 3,418, 'JOO  I 

Anglo-Saxon 3,504,000  f 

Dutch  and  Saudinavians 1,205,000  J 

V. — Product,  in  1870,  of  pojjulation  gained  by  acquisition  of  new 

terrlKjry  since  1790 1,500,000 

V'l. — Product,  in  1870,  of  Irish  and  French  immigration 

from  Canada 2,000,000 

VII.— Total  strength  of  Colored  clement  in  1810 4,504,000 

VIII.— Total  Immigration  to  U.  S.  from  17iKI  to  1870 8,190,000 

Irish  Imiiiigration  from  1790  to  1870 ;},248,000 

Anglo-Saxon  immigration,  from  1790  to  1870 790,000 

Immigration  of  all  other  elements 4,155,0(X) 

IX.— Product  of  total  immigration  to  U.  S.,  from  17!X)  to  1870  ...     23,000,000 

Product  of  Irish  immigration  (from  17i)(>) 9,750,000 

Product  of  Anglo-Saxon  immigration  (from  1790;.  ..2,000,000 

Product  of  all  other  immigration  (from  1790) 11,250,000 

X,-— Total  population  of  United  States  in  1870 38,500,000 

XI. — Ji'iut  product,  in  1870,  of  Irish  Colonial  ele- 
ment and  subsequent  Irish  immigration  (in- 
cluding that  from  Canada) 14,32.5,000 

Joint  Product,  in  1870,  of  Anglo-Saxon  Colo- 
nial element   and   subsequent  Anglo-Saxon  *"  S-  [     38  500  000 

immigration 4,522,000  '"      ' 

Joint  Product,  in  1870,  of  ;dl  i)ther  Colonial 
elements  and  all  sub  'Hiucnt  immigration  (in- 
cluding colored  pojjulation) 19,653,000 

XII.— Total  Celtic  Element  (7ri,s7i,  Scotch,  FrencJi,  Spanish,  Italia/,) 

in  United  States  in  1870 ij  1,000,0<;0 

Total  Irish  clement  in  United  States  in  1870 14,';W5,'o()0 

Total  Anglo-Saxon  element  in  United  States  in  1870 4,52:1,000 

Total  of  all  other  elements  (not  Celtic  nor  Anglo-Saxon)  in 

the  United  St;Ues  in  1«70 9,978,000 

Almost  the  entire  Celtic  element  (24,000,000)  might  be  .safely  regarded  us  the 
descendants  of  men  who  were  Catholics  on  settling  in  America. 


( 


. 


nil 


KCCLKSIASTKAI,  sr.MM.\l;V  Ol'  TIIK  1   NI'I'KD  STATKS.  A.I).  187(5, 


DIOCKSE. 

1 

'S 

1 

1 

i 

n 

n 

"i" 

1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
.... 

i 

1 

r  " 

980 

16 
i     'J.'J 

24 
1    81 

15 

13 

189 
29 
7(i 
66 

7;i 

85 

KiH 

1.17 

62 

61 

109 

79 

117 

104 

202 

08 

40 

18 

71 

29 

172 

41 

10 

22 

26 

16 

35 

17 

301 

1.51 

112 

1*3 

148 

48 

61 

23 

15 

13 

216 

57 

37 

100 

tH 

219 

121 

204 

1.% 

80 

21 

69 

20 

121 

25 

46 
50 
10 
22 

i 

1 

1 
4 

.<4i    1  1 

a  5      0 

28     66     11 
4      8      1 
6     18!      3 
6       3'      H 

■a 

1 

7 

Catholic   Popn- 
UtioQ. 

nAT.riMonE 

CliiirlcHiori 

m 
10 
21 

25 

•M) 

I    20 

20 

11 

120 
61 
S7 
65 
61 
78 

1U7 

:    35 

24 

!     22 

1    )t5 

26 
■'60 

i    4 

.... 

Hit'liinoiid 

;:;: 

12 

12 

6 

11 

.... 

1 
1 
1 

7»,(i(K) 
25  (lOO 

SUMIIlllllll 

Wlici'liii^' 

6..,. 
1  .... 
7  .... 

1 

1 

18,(X)0 
l.\(i00 
10,(100 
l.tJOO 
81tMH)0 
34  COO 

\Viliiiiiit;ti)n 

Ht.  AUh'UHtinc 

... 

V.  A.  Norlh  Curollna. 

[{(("iTON.         

Muilintrlon 

.... 

'.'.'.'. 

4 

62 
20 
60 
16 
2:. 

'lis 

57 
22 
25 
33 
21 
64 

1 

.... 
8 

1,      8.  .. 

3  16       6 

2     15       1 
12     :18       4 

4  20       2 
9     12       1 

1  10       1 
12    140     14 

6     .'56;     17 

6     26'      2 

16     11       8 

2  57       4 
15     45       2 
27      58       5 

8    145       'i 

Hail  ford 

155,000 

I'orllund 

1 

1 

1 

.... 

1 
1 

1 
1 

1 

.... 

1 
1 

2 

1 

"l 
1 
1 
1 

I'rovidenco 

11 

"78 

"i 
1 

1 

3 

1 
1 
3 

1 
2 
2 

1 

144,000 
150  0<iO 

Sprintineld 

Cincinnati 

1 

210,0011 

('Icvi'Iiiiid 

VMi     24 
74     89 

l.'j<),l)ii(l 
0(1  OIH) 

('"liimlniH 

<'ovin^;lon 

Detroit 

.... 

51 

178 

t07 

102 

145 

253 

93 

87 

27 

180 

42 
96 
35 
21 
29 

60 

8.'>,0<)0 
l80  O'lO 

Foil  Wnyiio 

14 

'  t  k'> 

22 
■■23 

.... 

2 
3 

1 

70,(iC0 

l(;(i,(iiM) 

i'O  000 

Loiiihvllle 

Viiii'cnuc'* 

261     1 

! 

"is 

MiLWAi  ki;k 

Gi'L'iii  Hiiv  

1 

9  .... 
1      21 
1      17 

6 

17D,000 
60,0(10 

40.11(10 

La  ( 'ro!<He 

12 

^ 

1 

i' 

M.'ir(iii(?*te 

3  ..  .!-    ■ 

20,000 
80,000 

^..^OO 

St.  I'liiil 

V.  A.  Northern  Minne- 

HOtil 

50 

86 

27 

2 

26 

— 

18 

18     23 
1  .    .. 

3 

NKW  OllLEANS 

OnlvcHtou 

1 

1 

20 

2 

20     31 
8 

14 

2 
1 

"i' 
"i' 

2,-)0,flOO 
25,000 

Liflli!  Kock 

8  2       1 

19      22!      2 

9  13       ii 
7       9 

()  :!00 

.Mohih- 

t 
1 
1 

7 
2 
7 
4 

"2 

1 
8 

"9' 

t(!,OiiO 

.^atclioz 

86 

l'.',()(,0 

Niitchiloches 

70 

40 

5 

149 

151 

72 

132 

132 

79 

73 

7 
11 
35 
26 
16 

'■'28 
45 

;io,ooo 

40,0(h) 
30.000 

San  Antonio 

V.  A.  Rro\vnsvlllo,Tex. 

.... 

1 
1 

"2' 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 

.... 

1 

"i' 
1 

1 
1 

"i' 
2 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 

"i" 

s 

i 

11      18 
8       2 

34     5'^ 

1 

New  Youk 

1 

1 
1 

"i' 

77 
40 

9:9. 

4 
4 
3 
1 
5 
.... 

1 
1 
2 

8 

2 

1 

4 
9 
8 
2 

"i' 

1 
5 

1 
1 
.. 

600.000 

Albany 

23      26     13 
6     84       8 
9     44       9 

17     8-t       7 

6         6;        1 

3....!      4 

6       6       1 

11....       3 

200,000 

Brook  vn 

Bullalo 

85  8 

86  2 
8  .... 

26  ... . 
1 

110,066 

Newarli 

200,(100 

Ogdensburgh 

6."i,(j00 

Rochester 

70,000 

Okeoon 

1 

20 

20,000 

NcHQualy 

19     15 

2 

10,000 

V.  A.  Idaho 

^•? 

1.500 

I'HII.ADELPHIA 

Erie.  

1 

124 
64 
51 

115 

70 

2i 

15 
46 

3 

"2' 

"2' 

1 

119 
14 

3 

1 

35     51       8 

4     22       1 

6     22       1 

8     70       4 

8       9.... 

23     25       5 

10     80       2 

13     72       4 

4      58.... 

6....        2 

6       8.... 

25ii,(i00 
40,000 

Harrislnir}; 

]6|.... 

42!    2 
17  .... 
48      1 

20,000 

Pittslnirgh 

200,000 

Scranton 

50,000 

St.  Louis 

1 

201  i    40 
157      16 

2.50.1  00 

Alton 

40 
24 
40 

3 
2 
1 

1 

100,000 

Chicaijo  

301) 
108 
29 
29 
78 
94 

.SOO.c 

lliiltniijno 

142 

1 

1 

Nat<hvillo 

St.  -loHC'pIl 

2t 

1 

1 

V.  A.  Kansas.   

"l' 

e 

....      14 

1 
1 

n) 

V.  A.  Kibraska 

56 1 

8      11 

1-^,     ■• 

S>AN   Fli.WCISCO 

Grass  Valley 

93 
35 

31 

28 
18 
87 

10 

70 

"i 

20 
6 

10 

4 
2 

2 

1 

.... 

6     35       4! 
3       3       2' 

9       8       1 
6       6       1 
3       5.... 
3  ........ 

120.0UU 
H,0UO 

Monterey  and  Los  An- 
f^elos 

4) 
170 

1 

.S4.000 

Santa  Fe 

1 

99.000 

V.  A.  Arizona 

6 
1 

18,8i'0 

V.A.Colorado 

1 

18,500 

214    96 

Total 

11     fi«  1 

i;074 

.^n4fl'i.-i>;2'  .9.q  Ii57,<i!  fis  1 

557  1645 

5.620.900 

1 

1 

1     i 

1        1 

As  regard!*  our  Catho 

ic  p( 

ipulat'on.  the  nl>o\ 

ici  tal 

ilei? 

inc 

impleto.    Sec 

p.  5 

1  1* 

'\  ppCHiUx. 


013 


CATilOLIC  IIIKUAUCIIV  (>F  TlIK  I  NITKi)  STATKS. 

MAV,  isro. 

AUCHUISHOl'S. 

Sutnr.  XtttiM'  Country,  See, 

HI»  Emtuoncc  .lohn  Canliiial  McUlos-  ( 


key,  D.D., 
Most  Rev.  J.  U.  Hay'''.V.  l^l>-. 

F.  N.  Hlaiichet,  D.D., 
P.  K.  Konrick,  O.D., 
.1  .  K.  I'uic.ll.  D.D., 
J.  S.  AkMiiaiiy,  D.D.,  O.P., 


) 


P. 

A 

l\rch<S  D.D., 

J. 

n. 

Lainy,  D.  D., 

J. 

M 

ILonnl.  D.D., 

J. 

I'. 

Woud,  D.D., 

J. 

J. 

Williarup,  D.D., 

United  States,  New  York,  N.  Y. 

"         KaltinKiro,  Md. 
(Jntuitla,  I*(»rtliiii(l,  Oregon. 

Irolnnd,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

'•  C'inclmitttl,  O. 

Spain,  San  Francisco,  Cal. 

Unitfd  StatPH,   Now  Orlean.s,  La. 
France,  Santa  F.'-,  N.  M. 

Switzerland,      Mllwankcc,  Wis. 
Unltca  States,  riilhulelphia,  I'a. 
"        "  Boston,  Mu.ss. 


BISHOPS. 


Ireland, 


«( 


UightRev.  John  Lun-^'lilin,  D.D., 
T.Aniat,  D.D.,C.M., 
F.  Mora,  D.D.,  Coadj., 
James  A.  Ilealy,  D.D., 
\V.  H.  Eider,  D  D., 
J.  DwenRcr,  D.D., 
P.  N.  Lyncli,D.D., 

T.A.Galberry,  D.D.,  O.8.A.,   Ireland, 
A.  Verot,  D.D., 
James  Gibbons,  D.D., 

E.  O'Connell,  D.D., 
T.L.  Grace,  D.D., 
Jolin  Ireland,  D.D.,  Coadj. 
John  Quinlan, 
J.  P.  Machclieuf,  D.D., 

C.  M.  Dnbnis,  D.D., 
J.  J.  Kain,  D.D., 

D.  A.  Pellicier,  D.D., 
J.  F,  Shanahan,  D.D., 
M.  Donicnce,  D.D., 
S.  II.  Rosecrans,  D.D., 
L.  de  (ioesl)rian(l,  D.D., 
P.  A.  Feehan,  D.D., 
J.  J.  Conroy,  D.D., 

F.  McNeirny,  D.D.,  Coadj.. 
John  Hennessy,  D.D., 
Edward  Fitzgerald,  D.D., 
William  McCloskey,  D.D.. 
A.  M.  A.  Blanehcl,  D.D.. 
Riciiard  Gilnmnr,  D.D.. 
M.  deSt.  Palais,  D.D.. 

'.  Foley,  D.D., 
<)i>hn  B.  Salpoiiili',  D.D., 
Louis  M.  Fink,  D.D.,  O.S.B., 


ti 

ii 

t( 

«t 

it 

It 

<i 

<( 

II 

ti 

It 

II 

tt 

11 

II 

It 

It 

It 

It 

it 

It 

It . 

it 

it 

It 

tt 

it 

it 

(I 

II 

ti 


Brooklyn,  L.  I. 

Los  Ani^eles,  Cal. 

Los  Aniccics,  Cal. 
United  States,  Portland,  Maine. 

Natchez,  Miss. 

Fort  Wayne,  Ind. 

Charleston,  S.  C. 

Hartford,  Conn. 
France,  St.  Aucfustino,  Fla. 

United  States,  Riciunond,  Va. 
Ireland,  Marysville,  Cal. 

United  States,  St.  Paul,  Minn. 
Ireland,  St.  Paul,  Minn. 

Mobile,  Ala. 
France,  Denver  City,  Col. 

"  Galveston,  Texas. 

United  States,  Whcelinfr,  W.  Va. 
"  San  Antonio,  Texas. 

"  Ilarrisbur^,  Pa. 

Allef^liany  City. 
United  States,  Columbus,  0. 

Burlii)f;;ton,  Vt. 

Nashville,  Tenn, 

Albany,  N.  Y. 

Albany,  N.  Y. 

Dubuque,  Iowa. 

Little  Rock,  Arkansas. 
United  States,  Louisville,  Ky. 

Fort  Vancouver, W.T. 

Cleveland,  O. 

Vincennes,  Ind. 

CliicaLTo.  111. 

Tucson,  Ark, 

Leavenworth.  Kan. 


Canada, 
France, 


6i4 


Appendix. 


Name. 
Right  Rev.  M.  A.  Corrigau,  D.D., 
«'  F.  X.  Krautbauer,  D.D., 

"  William  O'llara,  D.D., 

*'  B.  J.  McQuaid,  D.D., 


Nc.tive  Country 
United  States, 


i( 

K 
tt 
(( 
II 
il 
«( 
4t 
tl 
II 
11 
11 
«l 
It 
It 
II 


Louis  Lootens,  D.D., 

Tobias  Mullen,  D.D.,  Ireland, 

Thomas  A.  Becker,  D.D.,         United  States, 

Michael  Heiss,  D.D., 

John  J.  Hogan,  D.D.,  Ireland, 

S.  V.  RyanI  D.D.,  CM.,         • 

Ignatius  Mrak,  D.D., 

W.  H.  Gross,  D.D.,  C.&S.R., 

A.  M.  Toebbe,  D.D., 

C.  H.  Borgef>s,  D.D., 
P.  J.  Baltes,  D.D., 
P.  J.  O'Reilly,  D.D., 

P.  J.  Ryan,  D.D.,  Coadj.  Ireland, 

T.  F.  Heudricken,  D.D.,  " 

E.  P.  V/adbams,  D.D.,  United  States, 

D.  Mauncy,  D.D., 

R.  Seidenbush,  D.D.,  O.S.B., 

J.  Tuigg,  D.D.,  Ireland, 


See. 
Newark,  N.  J. 
Green  Bay.  Wis. 
Scranton,  Pa. 
Rochester,  N.  Y, 
Natcliitoches. 
Idaho  City,  Idaho. 
Erie,  Pa. 
Wilmington,  Del. 
Ln,  Crosse,  Wis. 
St.  Joseph,  Mo. 
BuiTalo,  N.  Y. 
Marquette,  Mich. 
Savannah,  Ga. 
Covington,  Ky. 
Detroit,  Mich. 
Alton.  111. 
Springfield,  Mass. 
St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Providence,  R.I. 
Ogdensburg,  N.  Y. 
Brownsville,  Texas. 
S.  Cloud,  N.  Minn. 
Pittsbnrgli,  Pa. 


PRINCIPAL  WORKS  CONSULTED  IN  THE  PREP  AERATION  OF  THIS 

VOLUME, 

1.  Bancroft's  "History  of  the  United  States,"  10  vols. 

3.  Hildreth's  "History  of  the  United  State?,"  6  vols. 

8.  De  Courcy's  "  Catholic  Church  in  the  United  States,"  translated  by  Shea, 
1vol. 

4.  Clarke's  "  Lives  of  the  Deceased  Bishops  of  the  Catholic  Church  in  the 

United  States."  2  vol<. 

5.  Bayley's  "  Sketch  of  the  Catholic  Church  on  New  York  Island,"  1  vol. 

6.  Irving's  "Life  of  Columbus,"  3  vols. 

7.  Biowiison's  "Life  of  Gallitzin,"  1  vol. 

8.  Spalding's  "Miscellanea," 2  vols. 

9.  Spalding's  "History  of  the  Reformation,"  2  toIs. 

11.  Blsh-^n  England's  "  Works,"  5  vols. 

12.  White's  "Life  of  Mrs.  Seton,"  1  vol. 

13.  '  Western  Missions  an.l  Mission.  :1e8,"  1  vol. 

14.  Biiyley's  "Life  of  Bishop  Brute,    1  vol. 

15.  McGee's  "Catlmlic  History  of  North  America,"  1  vol. 

16.  Magulre's  "  Irish  in  America,"    1  vol. 

17.  M'iGec's  "  History  of  Irish  Settlers  iu  America,"  1  vol. 

18.  Mulionan's  "  Sketch  of  the  History  of  the  Church  on  Long  Island,"  1vol. 

19.  Darrac'  "General  History  of  tl^m  Church,"  4  vols. 

20.  Shea's  "  History  of  the  Catholic  Missions  in  the  Ui>ited  States,"  1  vol, 

21.  Shea's  "Discovery  and  Exploration  of  the  Mississippi,"  1  vol. 
28.  "Works"  of  Archl)ishop  Hughes,  2  vols. 

23,  Spaldiug'j  "  L'fe  of  Arelibi<hc  p  Spalding,"  1  vol. 


Appendix, 


615 


»4.  Byrne's  "Irish  Emigration  to  the  United  States,"  1  vol. 
25.  Finottl's  "Bibliotraphia  Catholica  Americana,"  1  vol. 
:i6.  White's  "  Relatio  Itineris  in  Marylandiam,"  1  vol. 

27.  Garneau's  "Ilistoire  du  Canada,"  3  vols. 

28.  Parliman's  "Jesuits  in  North  America,"  1  vol. 

2it.  Farlcmairs  "Discovery  of  the  Great  West,"  1  vol. 

W.  Parlinian's  "  Pioneers  of  France  in  the  New  World,"  1  vol. 

31.  Vctroinile's  "History  of  the  Abnalii,"  1  vol. 

;32.  Charlevoix's  "  New  France,"  translated  by  Shea,  6  vols. 

:j;l  McSherry's  "  History  of  .Maryland,"  1  vol. 

;U.   HuMor'.s  "  Lives  of  the  Saints,"  12  vols. 

li').  Ai)plctou's  "American  Cyclopaedia,"  16  vols. 

3fi.   Fitton's  "  History  of  the  Church  in  New  England,"  1  vol. 

37.  TIk  Calholi.j  World,  XXHI.  vols. 

38.  Tfie  United  States  Catholic  Mar/nxine,  7  vols. 

39.  The  Metropolitan,  6  vols. 

40.  Presoott's  "  History  of  Ferdinand  and  Isabella." 

"Catholic  Almanacs,"   flies  of  Catho'ic  Journals,  and  many  otboif  sources 
too  numerous  to  mention. 

THANKS. 

The  author  returns  his  most  sincere  thaiiks  to  the  following  persons  for 

the  courtesies  extended  to  him,  during  the  preparation  of  this  volume  : 

MoBtRev.  J.  Roosevelt  Bayley,  D.D.,    Rev.  Brother  Paul,  O.S.F.,  Brooklyn, 
Baltimore.  N.  " 

"    Rev.  F.  N.  Blanchet,  D.D.,  Port- 


land, Oregon, 
Rev.   J.  F.  Wood,   D.D.,   Phila- 
delphia. 


Rev.  Henry  J.  Zlmmer,  P.P.,  Brooklyn, 

N.  Y. 
Rev.  Mother  Regina  M.  Lawless,  New 
York  City. 
Rev!  John  B.  Lamy,  D.D.,  Santa  |  Madame  Sarah  Jones,  New  York  City. 
Fe.  Rev.  Mother  M .  Euphemia  Blenkinsop, 


"    Rev.  John  M.  Henni,  D.D.,  Mil- 
waukee. 

"    Rev.  J.  J.  Lynch,  D.D.,  Toronto, 
Canada. 
Right  Rev.  James  Gibbons,  D.D.,  Rich- 
mond. 


Einmittslmrg,  Md. 
Ricluvrd   II.  Clarke,  LL.D.,  New  York 

City. 
Mrs.  P.  O'Connor,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
Mr.  John  Murphy,  Baltimore. 
Mr.  Patrick  O'Shea,  New  York  City. 


Rev.    Abbot    Wimmer,    O.S.B.,  j  Rev.  P.  M.  O'Regan,  CM.,  Brooklyn, 


W^estmoreland  Co.,  Pa 
"    Rev.    Abbot    Benedict,    Nelson 

county,  Ky. 
Rev.  John  McElroy,  S.J.,  Frederick, 

Md. 
Re\ .  Edward  A.  Higglns,  S.J.,  Cin. 

I'atrick  A.   iTalpin,    S.J.,   New 

York  City. 
Rev.   John  S.   Sumner,   S.J.,  George- 
town, D.C. 
Rev.  M.  M.   O'Farrell,  S.T.L.,  O.S.A., 

Villanova  College,  Pa. 
Rev.  C.  I.  White,  D.D.,  Washington, 

D.  C. 
Rev.  Eugene  Vetromile.D.D.,Ea8tport, 

Me. 
Rev.  Theodore  Noothen,  P.P.,  Albany. 
Hev.  Brother  Paulian,  New  York  City. 


L.I. 
Messrs.  D.  &  J.  Sadlier  &  Co.,  New 

York  City. 
Mr  '^awrence  Kehoe,  New  York  City. 
Messrs.  Benziger  Brothers,  New  York 

City. 
Prof.   T.  E.   Howard,    M.A.,  LL.B., 

Notre  Dame. 
V.  Rev.   F.  J.    Pabiseh,    D.D.,  LL.D., 

D.C.L.,  Cincinnati. 
Mr.  Patrick  Ford,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
Mr.  W.  F.  Pollard,  New  York  City. 
Rev.    Stephen  Byrne,    O.S.D.,  Jersey 

City. 
Rev.  A.  F.  Hewit,  C.S.P.,  New  York 

City. 
Rev.   Josi'pli    Slica,   S.  J.,  New   York 

Citv. 


Mr.  Bernard  P.  Murray,  Brooklyn,  L.l.    Rov.   J.    M.  Finotti,  P.P.,  Arlington, 

Mr.  JaMi"s  J.  Murray,  Bn)()klvn,  L.  1.  Mass. 

I?ev.  Brother  Anthony, New  York  City.  '  Mr.  P.  Doiiahoe,  BDSton,  Mass. 

\.  Rev.  T.  E.  Haniei;  V.  <;.,  Quebec.       Mr.  P.  H,  Canuou,  New  York  City. 


GENERAL    INDEX. 


Abnaki,  Thb,  92. 

Adams,  John,  170. 

Aleinauy,  Abp.,  301. 

Alf^on  quins,  33. 

Allou(!z,Fr.,  104. 

Altham,  Fr.,  84. 

Andre,  Fr.,l04. 

Augustinians,  The,  365. 

'•  Ave  Maria,  The,"  547. 

"Awful  Disclosures  of  Maria  Mouk," 

•m. 

Azarius,  Brother,  532. 

B.UJiN,  Fk.,  3.54. 
Barber,  Fr.,  2\^. 
Bapst,  Fr.,  30.5. 
Barron,  Bishop,  335. 
Barry,  Fr.,  184. 

"      Commodore,  165,  187. 
Baltimore,  Lord,  134,  144. 
Balboa,  13. 
Bayley,  Abp.,  501. 
Beecher,  Lyman,  249. 
Bedini,  Abp.,  301. 
Benedictines,  375. 
Benziger  Bros.  561. 
Blanc,  Abp.,  359. 
Blanehet,  Abp.,  258. 
Botta,  496. 
Bourgeois,  M.,  423. 
Boyce,  Fr.,  513. 
Brent,  J.  C.  496., 
Brownson,  Dr.,  519. 

S.  M.,510. 
Bryant,  J.  D.,  511. 
Bressani,  Fr.,  100. 
Byrne,  Fr.,  354,  508. 

CA.BOTP,  13. 

C  artier,  14. 

Califi)rniu  Missions,  78. 
Cancer,  Fr.,  80. 
Calvert,  Leonard,  135. 

"        Sir  (teorii-e,  144. 
Carroll,  Ch:irles,  105,  173. 

Abp.,  165,  237. 

John  Lets  176. 

Daniel,  181. 
Cahill,  Fr.,  313. 
"CtUiiolic  Recor.l."  .551. 
CUithnlicitv  and  tin'  Civil  War,  '.'.08. 
Catholic  Charitv,  310,  577. 


<t 
it 


Carmelite  Nuns,  398. 
Catholic  Female  Academies,  440. 
Colleges,  448. 
Seminari''H,  466. 
Newspaper-i,  543. 
"  Telegraph,'    ii4^. 
"     "  Review,"  ols. 

"     "  World,"  55  t. 

"        Irish  in  Am  ricu,  505. 

"        Germans  in  .\merica,  573. 

"        French,  etc.,  in  America,574, 
Cannon,  C.  J.,  4W. 
Campbell,  B.  U.,  496. 
Carey,  Matthew,  493. 
Charles  the  Indian  King,  90. 
Champlain,  14. 
CUauinonot,  Fr,,  1K4. 
Cherokces,  33. 
Chase,  174. 

Christian  Brothers,  377. 
Charity,  Sisters  of,  401,  403,  406. 
Clarke,  R.  H.,  508. 
Collins,  William,  531. 
Coome:^,  306. 
Conwell,  Bp.,  3:38. 
Connolly,  Bp.,  241,  267. 
Corcoran,  J.  A.,  523. 
Conyni^ham,  D.  P.,  510. 
Cummisky,  E.,  558. 
Cunningham,  P.  F.,  558. 

Dablon,  Fk.,  104. 
David,  Bp.,  354. 
D'Andreis.  Fr.,  352. 
Damon,  Fr.,  389. 
De  Brebeuf,  Fr.,  63. 
De  Leon,  13. 
De  Soto,  14. 
De  Palos.  74. 
De  Corpa,  Fr.,  83. 
De  (irassc,  170. 
D'E.^taiug,  196. 
De  Cheverus,  Card.,  264. 
De  Smet,  Fr.,  340,  502. 
De  Crcvt'cojur,  493. 
DeConcilio,  BY,  533. 
Dornin,  B.,  5.58. 
I)()nu:an,  (tdv.,  1.50. 
Dominicans,  3.55. 
Dorse V,   .Mrs.,  51:?. 
Ponalioe,  P.,  563. 
Dupor  ?eau,  P.  5:?7. 


6i8 


General  Index. 


Druillettcs,  Fr.,93. 
Dubourg,  Bp.,  252. 
Dubois,  Bp.,  277. 
Dunigan,  E.,  5(30. 

ECCLESTON,  Abp.,  359. 

Eckel,  Mrs.  St.  John,  510. 

Education,  Catholic,  425. 

Egan,  Bp.,224. 

Englana,  Bp.,  253,  2«9,  499. 

English  Atrocity,  73,  93,  96,  108,  133, 

103,  etc. 
Europe  in  15th  Century,  3. 

Fakmer,  Fk.,  148. 
Fenwick,  Bp.  E.  D.,  355. 

Bp.  B.  J.,  248,274. 
Fislier,  Fr.,  !39. 
Fittou,  Fr.,  351,  etc. 
Fitzpatrick,  Bp.,  251. 
Fitzsiinmons,  T.,  181. 
Flaget,  Bp.,353,  261. 
Florida  Missions,  71. 
Ford,  P.,  548. 
Franklin,  170,  193. 
France,  3,  168. 

Gallitzin,  Pkince,  ;i08,  383,  498. 

Garakonti6,  D.,  130. 

Gaston,  393. 

Georgetown  College,  456. 

Germany  in  the  15th  Century,  4. 

Gibault,  Fr.,  109. 

Gladstone,  136. 

Good  Shepherd  Nuns,  413. 

Goupil,  113. 

Greaton,  Fr.,  147. 

Harding,  Fr.,  148. 
Hardy  and  Mahony,  558. 
Hart,  Dr.,  300, 
Hassard,  J.  R.  G.,  509. 
Haskina,  Fr.,  524. 
Heeker,  Fr.,  388,  516. 
Hewit,  Fr.,  507. 
Hill,  Fr.,  541. 
Howard,  T.  E.,  5-32,  530. 
Hoffman,  Mary  I.,  514. 
Holy  Cross  Sisters,  410. 
"      CoDoge,  463. 
"        "      Conir.,  373. 
Hughes,  Abp.,  346,  3:31,  531. 
llumiiadcs,  4. 
Huntington,  J.   V.,  513. 
Hurous,  o3. 

Indians,  their  History,  Manners, 
Languages  and  Customs,  31. 

Isabella  of  Spain,  8. 

Iroquois,  33. 

"        Missions,  97, 

Ireland,  4,  167,  565. 

"Irish  World,"  548. 

"Irish  Canadian,"  '■/49. 

Ives,  L.  S.,  301. 


Jay,  John,  180. 
James  IL,  150. 
Jefferson,  Thomas,  170. 
Jogues,  Fr.,  111. 
Journalism,  Catholic,  543. 
Juarez,  Bp.,  72. 

Kelly,  Bp,.  254. 
Keurickj  Abp.,  317,  515,  687. 
Know  iMothingism,  301. 
Kosciusko,  170. 
Kohlman,  Fr.,  499,  etc. 

La  Salle,  14. 

Las  Casaa,  70. 

Lalande,  117. 

Lafayette,  170. 

La  Salic  College,  464. 

Laval,  Bp.,  130. 

Laval  University,  465. 

Lazarists,  370. 

Le  Moyne,  Fr.,  100. 

Le  Jeune,  Fr.,  55. 

Lewis,  Fr.,  489. 

Little  Sisters  of  the  Poor,  418. 

Loretto  Sisters,  405. 

Lvnch,  Dominic,  182. 

Lynch,  Abp.,  600. 

Lucas,  F.,  561. 

Magellan,  13. 
Marquette,  Fr.,  14,  119. 
Martinez,  Fr.,  80. 
Maryland  Missions,  83, 
Manning,  Cardinal,  188. 
Maryland,  133. 
Marechal,  Abp.,  332. 
Matignon,  Dr., 347. 
Manhattan  College,  463, 

Montldy,  551. 
Meade,  Geo.,  183. 
Mercy,  Fathers  of,  374. 
"      Sisters  of,  410. 
Meline,  J.  F.,  504. 

"  Messenger  of  the  Sacred  Heart,"  551. 
"Metropolitan,  The,"  550. 
Mendoza,  Cardinal,  8. 
Missionary  Oblates,  380, 
Miracle,  323. 
Miles,  G.  H.,  526. 
McGawley,  Miss,  148. 
McGill,  Bp.,  354. 
McElroy,  Fr.,  385. 
McSherry,  James,  495. 

Richard,  533. 
McGee,  T.  D.,  503. 
McLeod,  Fr.,  516. 
Mobiliuns,  33. 
Moylan,  Gen.,  160,  178. 
Motte,  Abbe,  194. 
Mount  St.  Mary's  College,  467. 
"  Morning  Star,"  547. 
Mulrenan,  P.,  506. 
Murphy,  John,  463,  etc. 
Murray,  Abp.,  411. 


General  Judex. 


619 


Nkkinckx,  Fk.,  '^54,  cU'. 

Neunmnn,  Bp.,  ;-{;^7. 

New  Mexico  Missiuun,  74. 

Now  HHmpfhirc  Anti-Catholic;   laws, 

184. 
Notre  Dame  Univcrsitv,  401. 

"      Sisters  o>   4(«). 

"      Scliool  Slitters  of,  41:}. 
Noethen,  Fr.,  505. 
*'  N.  Y.  Tablet,"  547. 

O'BRrcx,  Jeremiah,  165. 
O'Connor,  Bj).,  240,  332. 
O'Callaghan,  Dr.,  .500. 
O'Gallagher,  Dr.,  204. 
Ojcda,  13. 
Orono,  97. 
O'Reilly,  Dr.,  514 

J.  B.,  530. 
O'Shea,  P.,  561. 

Pabisch,  Dr.,  469. 

Passionifits,  381. 

Patrick,  Brc,  391. 

Paulists,  383. 

Penal  Laws  of  Maryland,  142. 

"        "       "  New  Yorlc,  151. 

"        "       "  New  England,  15i>. 
u  Virginia,  160. 

"        "       "  Georgia,  100. 

"        "       "  the  Caroliiias,  1(K>. 
PiBe,  Dr.,  494. 
Pius  IX., '337. 

"  Popery"  a  boorish  tenn,  15;^. 
Penn,  William,  147. 
Presentation  Nuns,  413. 
Preston,  Fr.,  517. 
Providence,  Sisters  of,  408. 

Rale,  Fk.,  '.m;. 

Religions  Freedom  in  U.  S.,  17Vt. 

Republics  in  irjth  Century,  4. 

Redemptorists,  372. 

Review,  Brownson's,  552. 

"      Am.  C.  Q.,  553. 
Robin,  Abbe,  492. 
Rock  Hill  College,  4ft4. 
Roits,  245. 
llosati,  253. 
Rouquette,  Abbe,  527. 
Rochambeau,  170. 
Ryan,  A.  J.,  .527. 

Sacked  IIeakt,  Ladies  of  thb,  406. 

Santa  Fc.  75. 

Saillier,  I).  &  J..  500. 

Sadlier,  Mrs  J.,  510. 

Santa  Clara  College,  403. 

Savage,  John,  525. 

Scanderberg,  4. 

Scott,  Michael,  256. 

Serra,  Fr.,  78. 


Scguta.  Fr.,  S3. 

Seton.  .Mother,  416. 

Soviet  V  of  Jesus,  357. 

Sorin.'Fr.,  387. 

Si)ain,  109. 

Spaldinir,  Abn.,  32S,  5:iO,  501. 

Spalding,  J.  L.,509. 

St.  John's  College,  Fordham,  N.  Y., 

459. 
St.  Joseph,  Sisters  of,  407. 
St.  Louie  University,  458. 
St.  Joscpli's  College,  458. 
St.  Xavier's  College,  458. 
St.  F.  X.  College,  462. 
St.  Vincent's  Seminary,  468. 
St.  Chas.  B.  Sem.,468. 
St.  Joseph's  Sem.,  470. 
Sem.  of  Mt.  St.  Mary's  of  the  West, 

468. 
Sem.  of  Our  Lady  of  Angels,  469. 
Shea,  J.  A.,  496. 
"    .).  G.,  500. 

Taney,  Chief- Just  ice,  345. 

Telurahkwita,  C.  12<5. 

Teresa,  Motlier,  419. 

Texas  .Missions,  77. 

Thebaud,  Fr.,  504. 

Thayer,  Fr.,  197. 

Thiker,  M.  A.,  514. 

"The  Pih)t,"  545. 

"  The  Catholic,"  546. 

"  Thu  Catholic  Mirror,"  546, 

"The Tribune  "  (Canada),  549. 

"True  Witness,"  549. 

Ury,  John,  154. 

Unique  Letters,  220. 

Ursuliiies,  395. 

University  of  Notre  Dame,  461. 

"  Una"  (Mrs.  Ford),  528. 

"  U.  S.  Catholic  Miscellanv,"  544. 

"  U.  S.  Catholic  Magazine,'"  549. 

Vetromile,  Dr.,  506,  534,  537. 
Verazzani,  14. 

Vermont,  A  Legend  of,  103. 
Visitation  Nune,  399. 
Villanova  College,  462, 

Washi;>:»ton,  163,  167,  169,  196,  201. 

Walsh,  Robert,  497. 

Walworth,  Fr.,  :j17. 

Wening.r,  Fr.,  390,  518. 

White,  Fr.,  S7. 

Whalen,  Fr.,  206. 

Whitfield,  Bp.,  2:54. 

Whalen,  Bp.,  254. 

White,  Dr.  C.  L,  506,  etc. 

Worn;  G.  D.,  523. 

Xaveuian  Brothers,  382. 


